Following the First Progress Report on the implementation of the Commission Staff Working Paper “Pollutant emission reduction from maritime transport and the Sustainable Waterborne Transport Toolbox” the European Commission announces the creation/establishment of the European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF).

The European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF) will advance the Sustainable Waterborne Transport Toolbox’s efforts for a cost-efficient and coherent implementation of the provisions of the Directive 2012/33/EU as regards the sulphur content of marine fuels which transposes the international low sulphur standards into EU law.

The ESSF will bring together Member States and maritime industry stakeholders. It will enable a structural dialogue, exchange of best practices and coordination, thus providing the opportunity to discuss practical issues that could be encountered during the implementation process, in particular during the transition phase before the entry into force of the new standard.

The European Commission published on 24.9.2013 the Decision on setting-up the group of experts on maritime transport sustainability – The European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF) [C(2013)5984] [52 KB]  .

The ESSF will operate with the following structure: a plenary, a secretariat, and non-permanent technical working groups to further develop the actions outlined in the Toolbox Progress Report. The ESSF envisages in particular to:

  1. provide guidance on the implementation of the Sulphur Directive;
  2. create the framework conditions for the use of marine LNG as ship fuel;
  3. create the framework conditions for the use of scrubbing technology in shipping
  4. explore and evaluate all the available financing opportunities
  5. coordinate research and development activities and encourage innovation.

Call for Applications

Call for Applications [33 KB] for the selection of ESSF members accompanies the Commission’s Decision. The European Commission is looking forward to applications from organisations meeting the criteria outlined in the call not later than 18th of October 2013.

For further details, contact us on:

Tel: (00356) 21 651387
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Email: [email protected]
Website: www.combinedmaritime.com