A few days after the entry into force, the next first of the European Directive 959 of 10 May last, which, amending Directive 87/2023, extends the EU ETS for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading greenhouse effect in the European Union, the European trade union European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) has once again sounded the alarm on the risk that The extension of the rule to shipping could damage ports European countries, in particular due to the possible reduction of Ro-Pax maritime services for the transport of motor vehicles and passenger and container traffic volumes, especially for those European airports that mainly operate transshipment of containers. The ETF has reaffirmed its concerns about the social and economic impact that this Would entail.

About the scope of application for the activities of maritime transport, the EU Directive provides that the allocation of quotas and the application of surrender obligations for maritime transport activities apply to 50% of the emissions from ships operating voyages departing from a port under the jurisdiction of a Member State and arriving in a port of call outside the jurisdiction of a State Member States, to 50% of emissions from ships operating in departing from a port of call outside the jurisdiction of a Member State and arriving at a port of call under the jurisdiction of the of a Member State, 100% of emissions from ships operate routes departing from a port of call under the jurisdiction of a Member State and arriving at a port of call under the jurisdiction of a Member State and 100% of emissions of ships within a port of call under the jurisdiction of the of a Member State.

The ETF highlighted that "of particular concern is impact on the ro-pax sector, as the ETS could lead to the closure of essential ro-pax lines, jeopardising continuity and the Motorways of the Sea. This change - has warned the union - would lead to an increase in emissions of CO2 emissions and the return of millions of trucks to the roads, reversing the progress in reducing congestion and emissions through the Motorways of the Sea initiative.

Recalling that some EU transport ministers have called for the suspension of the application of the ETS to the sector the ETF has asked the European Commission to adopt Immediate measures to prevent potential job losses in European ports.