World Maritime News
WMNF 22/07/2026
Industry waits to see what Brussels has in store for the EU ETS
The European Commission is preparing revisions to the EU ETS, with major debates focused on ETS revenues, competitiveness, and shipping decarbonization. Shipping industry groups, led by ECSA (European Community Shipowners’ Association), want ETS revenues reinvested in green fuels and support aligning EU regulations with future IMO measures. They also seek permanent exemptions for ice-class ships and certain island services. Environmental group Transport & Environment, however, argues for stricter rules, including extending ETS coverage to smaller ships and limiting exemptions. The revision highlights the EU’s challenge of balancing climate goals with industry competitiveness.
Read more: Lloyd’s List
MSC wants voyages with EU transshipment calls exempted from ETS
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is reportedly lobbying the EU to exempt shipping voyages that include transshipment calls at EU ports from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). MSC argues that the current rules increase costs and weaken the competitiveness of EU transshipment hubs compared with nearby non-EU ports. Under the current ETS framework, containerships operating on routes such as Asia–US that make a transshipment stop in an EU port must pay carbon costs for 50% of emissions on the voyage to and from the EU. However, ships using certain non-EU ports may avoid much of this cost. Italy and Malta are said to support the proposal during the ongoing ETS revision. Critics argue that such exemptions would undermine the ETS’s environmental objective by reducing the amount of emissions covered and decreasing government revenue. Maritime analyst Lars Jensen questioned the environmental rationale, saying the proposal appears to offer mainly a financial benefit rather than reducing emissions. The European Commission is expected to present proposals for revising the ETS, which will then be debated by EU institutions for several years.
Read more: Lloyd’s List
Brussels proposes extending ETS to smaller ships, reserves billions for green shipping
The European Commission has proposed expanding the EU ETS to ships of 400 GT and above from 2030. It also plans to reserve 110 million ETS allowances (worth about €9 billion) to help shipping companies bridge the cost gap between conventional and green fuels. The proposal would:
– Simplify emissions reporting requirements.
– Extend ETS exemptions for ice-class ships, island services, and outermost regions until 2035.
– Expand ETS coverage to certain nearby non-EU ports to prevent shipping companies from avoiding ETS costs through
transshipment calls.
Regarding future IMO global carbon measures, the Commission proposes a mechanism to avoid double charging, but it does not commit to abolishing the EU ETS if a global system is introduced.
Read more: Lloyd’s List
Containership orders hit record high despite looming overcapacity fears
The global containership orderbook has reached a record 13.7 million TEU, equivalent to more than 40% of the existing fleet. Chinese shipyards dominate the market, building about 80% of all vessels on order. A major driver is MSC’s reported order for up to 20 LNG dual-fuel mega containerships, reflecting continued strong demand for newbuildings amid tight vessel availability through 2027. However, analysts warn of significant overcapacity risks. Around 1,000 new container ships (8.5 million TEU) are scheduled for delivery in 2027–2028, far above historical levels. Unless cargo demand grows strongly or more ships are scrapped, excess capacity could put pressure on freight rates, charter markets, and vessel values.
Read more: Lloyd’s List