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Sustainable maritime fuels - 'Fit for 55' package: the FuelEU Maritime proposal
In July 2021, the European Commission put forward the 'fit for 55' package of legislative proposals, aimed at ensuring the success of the European Green Deal. The FuelEU Maritime regulation is one of these proposals and, together with four other proposals, it seeks to steer the EU maritime sector towards decarbonisation. To support the uptake of sustainable maritime fuels, the Commission proposes to limit the carbon intensity of the energy used on board ships. Accordingly, the proposal sets a fuel ...
Addressing ship reflagging to avoid sanctions
Reflagging to a flag of convenience is a practice whereby a ship-owner registers their ships in a country with relatively light controls or low standards, for instance in the area of environmental or employment law. While this is legal in principle, it is often combined with illegal practices, including the circumvention of sanctions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the EU are trying to tackle abusive reflagging.
Aviation's contribution to European Union climate action: Revision of EU ETS as regards aviation
As part of the 'Fit for 55' package, the Commission proposed a revision to the EU's emissions trading system (ETS) as regards carbon dioxide emissions from aviation. The proposal seeks to ensure that the sector contributes to the EU's climate targets through increased auctioning of allowances, with an end to free allowances from 2027, and by applying the linear reduction of aviation allowances. The proposal would also integrate, into the revised ETS, the International Civil Aviation Organization's ...
Revision of Directive 2006/126/EC on driving licences
Traffic does not stop at the borders of the European Union (EU) Member States. Many holders of driving licences issued by one Member State make cross-border trips to another for private or professional purposes, or change their country of residence. With an average of 45 road deaths per million inhabitants in 2021, the EU is by far the world leader when it comes to road safety. However, much more will need to be done to achieve the EU's ambitious objectives, namely, halving fatalities in road transport ...
Safety of ro-ro passenger ships: Stability requirements
In the framework of the Commission's Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT) and Better Regulation agenda, and as announced in the 2011 White Paper on Transport, the Commission has presented a legislative proposal to amend existing rules on damage stability requirements for roll on roll off (ro-ro) passenger ships, known as ferries. This is to improve the maritime safety of both vessels and their passengers. The proposed revision of the existing directive originates from maritime accidents ...
Chinese strategic interests in European ports
China is increasingly investing in key European infrastructure, including ports. This is something that has drawn attention at both EU and Member State level, in particular regarding strategic dependency on China and how it affects the EU's economic interests. This short briefing provides an initial overview of existing, publicly known Chinese interests in EU ports.
ReFuelEU Aviation initiative: Summary of Parliament's and Council's positions
On 14 July 2021, the European Commission presented the 'fit for 55' package, which includes a number of proposals to help cut emissions from transport. One of these proposals – the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative – sets out provisions aimed at increasing the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels. The European Parliament and the Council have adopted their initial positions. Interinstitutional negotiations on the final wording of the rules started in September 2022. The Council and Parliament ...
CO2 emission standards for new cars and vans
The 'fit for 55' package contains several legislative proposals aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector. Emissions in this sector have barely fallen since 2005, because of increased transport demand. One of the proposals addresses road transport emissions by setting stricter CO2 emission standards for new cars and vans. On 27 October 2022, the Parliament and Council reached a trilogue agreement on the proposal. The vote on the agreed text is expected during the Parliament's February ...
Revision of the trans-European transport network guidelines
To support its economy, provide mobility for people and goods and ensure the connectivity of all regions, while also limiting negative impacts on climate and environment, the EU has been building a multimodal transport network across its territory: the trans-European transport network (TEN T). The TEN T policy is based on the 2013 Union guidelines defining the technical requirements for the planned transport infrastructure and network layout. TEN-T construction is also supported by EU funding, an ...
Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - January 2023
The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.