Further positions have been taken regarding the ETS revision proposals put forward by the European Commission. Confitarma, the Italian shipowners’ confederation, declares itself deeply disappointed by what it calls the lack of courage despite the appeals from the three main European industrial associations that had requested its suspension in recent days.
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«In the revision proposal, explains the president of Confitarma, Mario Zanetti – the great absentee is the theme of the competitiveness of the Italian and European shipping industry. We believe, in fact, that this document is contradictory with respect to the very objectives of the ETS and therefore we reiterate our request that 100% of the proceeds be allocated to the decarbonization of the maritime sector. Furthermore, the measures designed for ports risk putting the entire Mediterranean out of the market, because they do not guarantee an effective level playing field among all segments of shipping».
Furthermore – continues the president of Confitarma – the Commission’s proposal «does not eliminate the return to all-road transport that we are currently seeing, with consequent significant environmental and social costs, and risks compromising both the competitiveness of Short Sea Shipping and the Motorways of the Sea, as well as the European decarbonization objectives themselves. Indeed, particularly relevant issues for Italy remain open, starting from the failure to extend the current derogation regime to Sicily and Sardinia, just as we hoped the derogation for smaller islands would be made permanent, currently foreseen until 2035, despite maritime transport representing an essential service for the lives of over six million citizens».
«Having noted the decision not to heed the appeal of the main European industrial associations – concludes Zanetti – we also note that the proposal does not provide for a clear mechanism to ensure its alignment and progressive overcoming, once the equivalent global system adopted by the IMO is operational. Confitarma will continue to work with the Italian Government, Confindustria, European institutions and ECSA, so that the negotiation in the European Parliament and Council allows our proposal to be strengthened, combining decarbonization objectives with shipping competitiveness and the protection of territorial cohesion».
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