Sweden plots course to zero-emissions shipping

The Swedish Shipowners’ Association is currently preparing a roadmap with the government initiative Fossil Free Sweden to totally decarbonise domestic shipping by 2045, five years ahead of the International Maritime Organization’s deadline for a mere halving of emissions.

The roadmap for domestic shipping will not be published in its entirety until the spring, but the two organisations behind it outlined seven proposals for action, including:

  • Create an industry-supported carbon dioxide fund, to support investments in technology that will reduce the climate impact of shipping.
  • Improve fairway dues so that they are more clearly differentiated in favour of vessels using alternative fuels.
  • Introduce tax exemptions for electricity in ports for vessels whose gross tonnage is below 400 when charging batteries for electrically powered ships and for directly transferred electricity to cable ferries.
  • Increase and earmark state funding for a special research and innovation programme for energy-efficient and fossil-free shipping, and to encourage more marine transport.

Sources: Dagens Industri, 8 February 2019 and Ends Europe Daily, 11 February 2019

 

 

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