Belgians comment environmental report
In its comments on the EU’s first environmental report on maritime transport (Emter), the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association says that the report provides a clear overview of the sector’s current efforts to achieve Europe’s carbon neutrality ambition.
Launched on 1 September by EEA and EMSA, the Emter report acknowledges that maritime transport is an essential vector for European trade and a driver of economic growth.
While maritime transport accounts less (13.5%) for GHG emissions than road transport (71%) and civil aviation (14.4%), the industry is determined to effectively transform itself to help achieve the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
The Belgian shipowners themselves strongly encourage the use of MDO and VLSFO, instead of HFO with EGCS installations, so that air pollution is not turned into water pollution. More notably, the RBSA supports the strict legislations regarding SOx and NOx at both EU and IMO levels. (cd)