The government in London today presented its strategy for the decarbonisation of the maritime transport sector, which includes the inclusion of shipping from 2026 in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), the emissions trading system of the UK which is similar to the EU ETS, the similar system for promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that was defined and adopted by the European Union and in which the shipping industry was included with effect from January 1, 2024 ( of 18 April 2023).

If the EU, with the FuelEU Maritime initiative which is part of the "Fit for 55" package, aims to promote the reduction of of its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and achieve neutrality climate change by 2050, the goal of the British strategy aimed at achieving climate neutrality, i.e. a balance between these emissions from the activities anthropogenic and those reabsorbed, always sets this goal at the 2050, establishes progressive emission reduction quotas well-to-wake of 30% by 2030 and 80% by 2040, with reference, however, to the levels of 2008 (levels that - on the database released by the European Environment Agency - in 2008 in the EU-27 were 11.3% lower than in 1990).

Presenting the strategy, to be applied to the maritime sector ships of more than 5,000 gross tonnage carrying out journeys within the country and stopping at the quays of the ports of the United Kingdom, the Minister for Air Transport, Maritime Transport and The United Kingdom's security partner, Mike Kane, specified that the intermediate objectives of the strategy are aligned with the levels of the highest ambition of the International Greenhouse Gas Strategy Maritime Organization of 2023. Kane recalled that in 2019 the The UK's maritime sector has produced around eight million tonnes of CO2 equivalent and that the strategy of decarbonisation will allow you to seize opportunities that will contribute to economic growth and realise the benefits that reducing emissions can bring to bear have for health. It is estimated, on a prudential basis - he said - whereas the decarbonisation of the UK's maritime sector could produce £130 million to £180 million in value added gross and create on average between 1,400 and 2,100 new jobs in the UK between now and 2050, and that alone for the provision of on-board technologies, storage services and for engines. It is also expected - he added - and the investments required to support decarbonisation of the sector, including the production of zero-carbon fuels and energy and almost zero greenhouse gas emissions, will further stimulate the growth in the UK and ensure energy security.

The minister explained that the strategy is based on five main policies to drive decarbonisation, a starting from a regulation on fuels that, in addition to transposing a fuel standard that is currently under development at the IMO, will introduce, following a consultation with the public elections that will take place next year, national regulations on fuels to promote the uptake of fuels and fuel sources energy with zero and almost zero greenhouse gas emissions. With regard to the prices of emissions, the minister specified whereas the UK continues to support the initiative at the IMO aimed at establishing a global tax on maritime transport to be introduced from 2027.

In addition, the UK Government is considering further action to reducing emissions from ships at berth in ports and, in this respect, will soon launch a specific consultation which will end on 24 June, while A further consultation, expiring on 25 July, will be carried out in the launched to assess the possibility of extending the UK ETS to vessels of less than 400 gross tons. To this end, Kane specified that the government is aware that This could prove challenging for some sectors, such as that of fishing, while other sectors, such as that of offshore wind vessels, could move more quickly on the road to decarbonization.

Welcoming the strategy presented today, the UK The Chamber of Shipping noted that "the government's strategy must now be accompanied by the definition of the regulatory framework, technology and infrastructure, including - specified CEO Rhett Hatcher - a revolution shore power, necessary to support the green transition of the UK maritime sector, bringing benefits to maritime communities and the economy of the Kingdom United Kingdom".