The European Commission, within the framework of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, seeks to prevent climate evasion strategies in maritime transport by excluding certain non-EU transshipment ports from the official calculation of stopovers. This measure, aligned with the ETS and the Fit for 55 package, initially identifies Tangier Med and Port Said East, with the aim of avoiding tax diversions and carbon leakage to neighbouring ports outside the EU.
During the public consultation, organisations such as the European Dockworkers Council (EDC) warned about the impact on the competitiveness of European ports, employment and climate efficiency, proposing more comprehensive taxation and more dynamic oversight mechanisms.
Governments such as Spain’s backed the inclusion of additional ports and a more frequent revision of the list, while the port and logistics sectors highlighted the need for greater transparency, incentives for sustainability and forward-looking indicators. The measure, scheduled for adoption in 2025, seeks to balance maritime trade and move towards an effective decarbonisation of the sector.