The European Maritime Safety Agency and the European Environment Agency have published the second edition of the European Environmental Report on Maritime Transport. The report presents an analysis of the environmental impact of maritime transport in the EU, with data on pollution, underwater noise, impact on biodiversity and marine litter.
Economic impact
• The vast majority of imports and exports traded by the EU are transported by sea In 2021, this figure corresponded to 74% of total EU trade
• The gross value added (GVA) generated by the maritime transport sector amounted to 44.3 billion euros in 2021, which represents a 42% increase, compared to 2020
• Port activities generated a GVA of 29.5 billion euros
• The EU accounts for 17.6% of the world’s total commercial fleet in gross tonnage
Greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution
- CO₂ emissions from maritime transport have been increasing annually, corresponding to 137.5 million tons in 2022
- Methane (CH₄) emissions from the sector at least doubled between 2018 and 2023
- The maritime sector emits around 15% of the EU’s fluorinated gases, with harmful impacts on the ozone layer. This can result from high leakage from on-board refrigeration and air conditioning systems
- Green corridors are encouraging collaboration and technological innovation to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission maritime routes
- Operational measures can also significantly reduce emissions (reduction navigation speed, optimization of stopovers, hull monitoring and maintenance)
CO₂ emissions from maritime transport between 1990 and 2022 (Mt CO₂ Eq)
Source: European Environmental Report on Maritime Transport 2025, EMSA & EEA
Fuel consumption and technological solutions
- Since 2020, there has been a decrease in the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) and an increase in light fuel oil (LFO). This can be explained by the global sulphur cap set in 2020 and the ban on transporting HFO without reduction technologies on board
- The use of batteries on ships is increasing and this trend is expected to double in the coming years
- Onshore power connections (OPS) have been implemented by at least 44 EU ports, and there are 352 berths with shore-to-ship power supply facilities. However, only a limited number of ships have the necessary equipment to connect to the high-voltage OPS
- The number of ships using methanol, wind support and hydrogen is still low, but is increasing
EU fleet fuel consumption between 2018 and 2022 (Kt)
Source: European Environmental Report on Maritime Transport 2025, EMSA & EEA
Future outlook
- It is expected that the use of biofuels, methanol, batteries and other electrical energy systems will increase over the next decade
- Biofuels can be adopted quickly, due to the compatibility with engines and infrastructure
- However, there are some challenges related to biomass use competition and safety
- Biofuels can be adopted quickly, due to the compatibility with engines and infrastructure
- Hydrogen, ammonia and synthetic fuels are promising solutions, but present immediate challenges of production, scalability, storage, distribution, cost and safety
- The production of green ammonia needs to increase 3 to 4 times to meet the expected demand
- The projected electrolyzing capacity by 2030 could supply hydrogen fuels to 13-19% of the global fleet, if there is sufficient renewable electricity production and the capacity increases
- The production of green ammonia needs to increase 3 to 4 times to meet the expected demand
- Wind propulsion technologies have demonstrated annual fuel savings of 5-9% for certain ships and up to 30% in pilot projects
