European shipping companies will not be required to pay twice for their carbon emissions under both European Union and International Maritime Organization regulations. That was the clear message delivered by European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas during the official opening of Posidonia 2026 in Athens.
Addressing one of the maritime industry’s biggest concerns, Tzitzikostas sought to reassure shipowners that Brussels is fully aware of the financial pressures associated with decarbonisation and intends to prevent any duplication of carbon-related costs as the IMO develops its global emissions framework.
“I want to be clear: European companies will not pay twice, both in Europe and in the IMO,” he stated.
The commitment represents one of the strongest indications yet from the European Commission regarding how the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) could eventually interact with the IMO’s emerging Net Zero Framework, a topic closely watched by shipowners across the globe.
Beyond addressing carbon costs, Tzitzikostas stressed that revenues generated through the ETS should be reinvested directly into the maritime sector. According to the commissioner, funds collected from shipping emissions should help finance clean fuels, innovative propulsion technologies and future maritime solutions rather than becoming a general source of public revenue.
During his address, Tzitzikostas positioned shipping as a cornerstone of Europe’s economic and industrial strength. European Commission figures show that maritime transport handles 76% of the European Union’s imports and 73% of its exports, while maritime imports alone represent approximately €1.3 trillion ($1.51 trillion) in annual value.
“Without ships and without ports, there is no competitive Europe,” he said.
The commissioner also highlighted two recently unveiled initiatives—the European Industrial Maritime Strategy and the European Ports Strategy—which aim to reinforce Europe’s maritime competitiveness while supporting the sector’s energy transition. These programmes include measures to support fleet renewal, port infrastructure development, alternative fuels, shore power solutions, digitalisation and cybersecurity.
Another key issue addressed was the future of Europe’s tonnage tax regimes. Tzitzikostas described national support mechanisms as essential tools for maintaining the attractiveness and competitiveness of European ship registries.
He further acknowledged concerns surrounding administrative complexity and confirmed that the Commission is working to simplify reporting obligations under both ETS and FuelEU Maritime regulations.
“Competitiveness also means fewer unnecessary burdens,” he noted.
The commissioner also raised concerns about Europe’s growing dependence on non-European maritime financing institutions. He pointed out that an increasing number of shipowners are turning to leasing companies and financial providers outside the EU to finance new vessels.
“If the ownership of ships acquired through leasing remains outside Europe and is linked to domestic content requirements for their construction, a new strategic risk is created for the European Union,” he warned.
According to Tzitzikostas, maintaining influence over maritime financing, investment and critical supply chains will be essential if Europe intends to remain a leading global shipping power.
On decarbonisation, he reiterated the European Union’s support for the IMO’s efforts to implement its 2023 greenhouse gas strategy. He explained that the EU’s latest negotiating mandate seeks practical and widely accepted solutions following recent IMO discussions that failed to produce a final agreement.
“Decarbonisation is a global challenge and a global responsibility,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that regulation alone will not be enough to achieve the industry’s environmental ambitions. Success will require closer collaboration between shipowners, ports, fuel suppliers, governments and industry stakeholders to ensure investment, infrastructure and fuel availability evolve together.
His remarks come at a pivotal moment for global shipping, as the industry navigates geopolitical tensions, stricter environmental regulations and the search for commercially viable low- and zero-carbon fuels.
For the shipowners gathered in Athens this week, the central takeaway was unmistakable: Brussels remains committed to decarbonisation, but it does not want European operators to shoulder a carbon cost burden that competitors outside Europe can avoid.
