Brussels has pledged to protect European shipping companies from double carbon charges under both EU and IMO regulations.
European shipowners received a clear commitment from Brussels last week, with a senior European Commission official reassuring shipping companies that will not be required to pay twice for carbon charges under both European and International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations.
“I know that the overall energy transition involves costs. And here I want to be clear: European companies will not pay twice, both in Europe and in the IMO,” European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said at the Posidonia international shipping exhibition 2026 in Athens.
Speaking at the official opening of Posidonia 2026, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, delivered the assurance directly to industry delegates gathered at one of the world’s most prominent shipping events.
Beyond addressing carbon costs, Tzitzikostas stressed that revenues generated through the ETS should be reinvested directly into the maritime sector. According to the Commissioner, revenues generated by shipping through the ETS must return to the sector, to finance clean fuels, new propulsion systems, and future technologies.
European Commission figures show that shipping carries almost 80% of the European Union’s external trade, while EU’s maritime imports alone are worth around €1.3 trillion annually. Europe has over 300 shipyards and 28,000 maritime equipment manufacturers.
Another key issue addressed was the future of Europe’s tonnage tax regimes. Tzitzikostas described national support mechanisms as essential tools for maintaining the attractiveness of European ship registers.
He further confirmed that the Commission is working to simplify reporting obligations under both the ETS and FuelEU Maritime frameworks, while reducing bureaucracy and procedures for shipowners.
On decarbonisation, Tzitzikostas explained that the EU’s latest negotiating mandate seeks realistic solutions that will lead to the consensus, which is necessary to implement the new measures.
“But these measures must be fair, realistic, implementable and protect the competitiveness of European and Greek shipping,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that regulation alone will not be enough to achieve the environmental ambitions of the shipping industry. Success will require closer collaboration between shipowners, ports, fuel suppliers, industry and the public sector, as well as the existence of appropriate technological solutions and affordable alternative fuels.
“The majority of IMO member dtates want a framework that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to which shipping contributes only 2% of global total emissions, but also a framework that is realistic and listens to the concerns of the sector,” the European Commissioner explained.
Separately, Tzitzikostas delivered a strong message in defence of freedom of navigation and the protection of seafarers. He stressed that seafarer safety “must be and is, our absolute priority.”
As highlighted freedom of navigation is not simply an operational issue. It is a fundamental principle of international law. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
The Commissioner warned against restrictions such as transit fees, de facto tolls, or coercive practices in international waters.
“But if we back down today, it will set a dangerous precedent, ultimately jeopardizing the principles of navigation that have been built over decades,” he said.
