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Sustainable maritime fuels (FuelEU Maritime Initiative) ***I

TA-9-2022-0367 · P9_TA(2022)0367 · PE729.908

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 26 Sept 2026

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Parliament's amended version of the proposed regulation on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport sets greenhouse gas intensity limits for energy used on board ships above 5,000 gross tonnage and requires ships at berth to connect to on-shore power supply. It sets a 2% minimum share of renewable fuels of non-biological origin from 2030, with a multiplier of 2 from 2025 to 2034, and allows exemptions for islands, outermost regions and public service routes until 2029. It requires monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions, certification of fuels, and penalties for non-compliance, with revenues going to the Ocean Fund. It excludes neighbouring container transshipment ports within 300 nautical miles from the definition of port of call and requires the Commission to monitor cargo diversion.

Key points

  1. The regulation applies to ships above 5,000 gross tonnage, regardless of flag, for energy used on voyages between EU ports, half of energy on voyages to or from third countries, and energy at berth.
  2. It excludes warships, naval auxiliaries, fish-catching or fish-processing ships, wooden ships of primitive build, and government ships used for non-commercial purposes.
  3. It sets greenhouse gas intensity limits on energy used on board, becoming stricter over time: -20% from 2035, -38% from 2040, -64% from 2045, and -80% from 2050.
  4. From 1 January 2030, ships at berth in ports covered by the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation must connect to on-shore power supply and use it for all electricity needs.
  5. Ships using zero-emission technologies, unable to connect due to unavailable connection points or incompatible shore installation, or facing other specified exceptions may be exempted from the on-shore power requirement.
  6. From 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2034, a multiplier of 2 rewards the use of renewable fuels of non-biological origin; from 1 January 2030, at least 2% of yearly average energy used on board must be met with such fuels.
  7. Member States may exempt specific routes and ports from the regulation for passenger ships serving islands with fewer than 100,000 permanent residents, for outermost regions, and for public service contracts, until 31 December 2029.
  8. The Commission must adopt an implementing act by 31 December 2025 listing neighbouring container transshipment ports outside the Union but less than 300 nautical miles away, where transshipment exceeds 65% of total container traffic.
  9. Companies must monitor and report energy use, fuel types, emission factors, and use of substitute energy sources, with verification by accredited verifiers.
  10. Companies with a compliance deficit must pay a remedial penalty, and a penalty of EUR 250 at 2022 prices per megawatt of installed power per hour at berth applies for each non-compliant port call.
  11. Penalties are allocated to the Ocean Fund to support renewable and low-carbon fuels, bunkering facilities, electric connection ports, and innovative technologies.
  12. The Commission must report on the regulation's functioning by 1 January 2027 and every five years thereafter, and may propose amendments on scope, default values, pollutants, and ship types.

Who is affected

  • Shipping companies operating ships above 5,000 gross tonnage must comply with greenhouse gas intensity limits and on-shore power requirements.
  • Ports and terminal operators must provide on-shore power supply and determine exceptions for ships.
  • Fuel suppliers must provide accurate information on fuel greenhouse gas intensity and may be penalized for misleading information.
  • Member States may grant temporary exemptions for islands, outermost regions, and public service routes.
  • Verifiers must be accredited and independent, and companies may apply for review of their decisions.

Figures and deadlines

  • Ships above 5,000 gross tonnage are covered by the regulation.
  • Greenhouse gas intensity limits: -20% from 1 January 2035, -38% from 1 January 2040, -64% from 1 January 2045, -80% from 1 January 2050.
  • From 1 January 2030, at least 2% of yearly average energy used on board must be met with renewable fuels of non-biological origin.
  • A multiplier of 2 applies from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2034 for renewable fuels of non-biological origin.
  • Penalty of EUR 250 at 2022 prices per megawatt of installed power per hour at berth for non-compliant port calls.
  • Neighbouring container transshipment ports within 300 nautical miles where transshipment exceeds 65% of total container traffic are excluded from the definition of port of call.
  • Exemptions for islands with fewer than 100,000 permanent residents, outermost regions, and public service routes apply until 31 December 2029.
  • The Commission must adopt an implementing act by 31 December 2025 listing neighbouring container transshipment ports.