Debate: Global data collection system for ship fuel oil consumption data
Date: MONDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2020
Speaker: Johannes Hahn
Language: EN

Since the entry into force of the data collection system of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2019, all large ships calling at ports in the European Economic Area have to report their full consumption and other information under two systems: the European and the international one. In accordance with the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Regulation, the European Commission has now proposed to align, where appropriate, the EU MRV system with the IMO data collection system. The aim is to preserve the objectives of the current MRV Regulation by keeping its governance and ambition, while including technical adjustments to align the two regimes, simplifying compliance. The Commission proposal does not affect the main thrust of the European system, which is to maintain the robustness and transparency of our rules. The report of the Environment Committee before you has received the Commission’s full attention. As you know, some proposed amendments go significantly beyond the Commission’s proposal to align the European global data collection systems, namely the amendment to extend the European Emissions Trading System (ETS) to maritime transport and the amendment for large shipping companies to reduce their annual average CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2030. While the European Commission fully agrees with the European Parliament that the shipping sector needs to duly contribute to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and must achieve the Union-wide climate neutrality objective, we don’t consider the review of the EU reporting rules to be the appropriate vehicle to include shipping in the ETS or to introduce operational component density requirements. There is also no impact assessment for these two elements. There is a difference of opinion on the instrument, but our political goals are shared. As you know, the Commission has already announced, as part of the European Green Deal, its intention to extend the ETS to maritime emissions, and the impact assessment is being prepared. Work on this is in full swing and the Commission will come forward with the relevant legislative proposals to reduce the climate impact of shipping activities.  Let me stress, the Commission will duly take into account the elements proposed by this Parliament when developing its initiatives under the European Green Deal. For these reasons – and as we are still awaiting the Council’s position on these elements – the Commission has to reserve its position on the amendments concerning the extension of the Emissions Trading System and the carbon density requirements for ships. Of course, the same applies to other amendments that were not in the original Commission proposal. The Commission looks forward to continuing discussions on other important aspects of its proposal. These include possible improvements to the scope of the regulation in terms of ship size, rules when there is a change of company, the reporting of cargo carried, and the review clause within the remit of the reporting system. Let me assure you that the Commission remains committed to reducing emissions in the maritime sector. Let me also assure you that the upcoming 2030 Climate Target Plan will show not only this commitment but also the ambition to get it done. We will work hand in hand with this Parliament on our pathway to climate neutrality in shipping and beyond.