The UGS supports the Greek Prime Minister’s call for a European Research Centre for Alternative Marine Fuels and Technologies and stands ready to engage.
More specifically, the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) welcomes the timely initiative of the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to propose the creation of an EU Research Centre for Alternative Marine Fuels and Technologies for the decarbonization of the shipping sector.
"We support the Prime Minister’s pertinent proposal for the creation of a Research Centre for Alternative Marine Fuels and Technologies in the EU. With its proven maritime know-how and long-standing experience and scientific expertise Greece, the world’s leading maritime nation, can contribute to this end", the President of the UGS, Mr. Theodore Veniamis, stated.
As for the UGS, it noted that it “has consistently advocated that no technology is currently available at the scale required to deliver substantial reductions in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from ships.”
"Without mature new marine fuels and related technologies available worldwide, the decarbonization of shipping will not be feasible within the timeframe expected".
Furthermore, according to UGS, the European Commission’s proposal to extend the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to international shipping needs to be effectively in line with the “polluter pays” principle which entails compliance by the commercial operator of the ship.
"We value the acknowledgement of the importance of maritime transport to the EU and the world at large and the recognition of the role of out-of-sector stakeholders, such as fuel producers and suppliers, commercial operators/charterers, shipyards and engine manufacturers, in providing the shipping industry with the appropriate means for decarbonization".
