In view of the entry into force on 1 January of the European Directive No. 959 of 2023 which extended the application of the EU ETS for emissions trading of greenhouse gases greenhouse effect in the European Union to emissions from the maritime transport, inclusion that has alarmed several components of the port, logistical and economic sectors for further costs and the distorting effects of competition that could introduced by this enlargement, four associations represent terminal and port service operators, and European shipping agents have urged the European Commission to immediately commission a risk study that the application of the EU ETS to shipping to divert to non-EU ports goods that up to are now being brought to European ports and on possible solutions for prevent this phenomenon.

The appeal to the Commission was made by the Federation of European Private Port Terminal Operators FEPORT, by the European Association of Towing Companies Tugowners Association (ETA), from the European Pilots' Association European Maritime Pilots' Association (EMPA) and by the European Association of Shipping Agents and Brokers Community Association of Ship Brokers and Agents (ECASBA).

FEPORT, ETA, EMPA and ECASBA expressed great concern for what they believe to be the lack of a real evaluation the effects that the EU ETS will have on maritime transport and in in particular on the negative consequences for EU ports. Second The four organisations, in addition, the measures proposed by the European Commission, i.e. monitoring the effects of rules and the possibility of revision of the Rules of Procedure, provide an adequate response to the real risks that goods hitherto destined for European ports in the Mediterranean and the United Kingdom are diverted to non-EU ports.

Complaining that ports have not been properly taken care of consideration by the European Commission when it was discussed the EU ETS for maritime transport, FEPORT, ETA, EMPA and ECASBA have denounced that its members are now in a situation in which shipping companies, which do not intend to pass on the additional costs of the ETS to their customers, they will prefer to call at non-EU ports, with all the implications that this will have on employment and economic activity in the Member States. EU ports. In addition, the four organizations noted the emission reduction targets of the "Fit for 55" will be bypassed and, once the sea routes will be changed and the regulations circumvented, it will be It is very difficult to reverse these harmful effects.

"We need - explained the Secretary-General of FEPORT, Lamia Kerdjoudj - of a real evaluation the impact of the ETS for maritime transport on EU ports, to be conducted now and not in two years' time when the goods have left some EU ports. The capacity of the ports of the Southern Mediterranean and other non-EU ports - has Kerdjoudj - are significant and will continue to and will be attractive alternatives for airlines that want to circumvent the ETS. We want to wait for This should happen, warned the Secretary-General of the Federation of Terminal Operators - and that investments in ports of the EU are suspended or cancelled'.

Calling on the European Commission to urgently launch a EU ETS Maritime Transport Impact Study, FEPORT, ETA, EMPA and ECASBA specified that the terms of reference of the study could possibly consider all the solutions currently proposed by the different stakeholders to avoid the diversion of goods. They also have urged the Commission to continue to make its voice heard. voice within the International Maritime Organization to a global ETS is put in place and at the same time to explore the the possibility of concluding agreements immediately with EU neighbouring countries that could adopt a legislation similar to the ETS and with converging timelines.