The EU Transport Council, held yesterday in Brussels and attended by Minister Matteo Salvini, discussed a briefing note submitted by Italy and supported by Greece and Malta. The document highlights the negative consequences of the ETS applied to the maritime sector and the urgent need to suspend the regulation and introduce corrective measures to protect the most vulnerable traffic segments: transshipment, Motorways of the Sea services, and connections with the main islands.

“The Italian briefing note,” commented Stefano Messina, President of Assarmatori, “is comprehensive and fully aligned with the commitment that our country, together with its Mediterranean partners, has long pursued to address the distortions generated by the maritime ETS. Unfortunately, the ideological short-sightedness of part of the Commission — which continues to rely on a partial and inaccurate market monitoring system — is preventing the adoption of concrete, necessary solutions for the sector. However, the renewed pro-industry orientation shown by EU Institutions in recent months, and reiterated in Commissioner Tzitzikostas’ address, gives hope that the upcoming revision of the Directive, scheduled for next year, may finally mark a turning point for maritime transport as well.”

Through the Green Deal, the EU has adopted extremely strict climate regulation, largely insensitive to the specificities of the most vulnerable segments of the maritime-port system. The goal was to drive global awareness within the IMO and encourage the adoption of similar climate measures worldwide. However, the recent postponement of the vote on the Net Zero Framework has slowed this trajectory.

“We therefore need to swiftly correct the shortcomings of the ETS Directive, without waiting for IMO negotiation timelines,” Messina continued. “EU regional measures are already encouraging increased investment and traffic flows toward North African transshipment terminals and triggering worrying market trends for Motorways of the Sea services and connections with major islands. The proposals advanced by Italy and its two Mediterranean partners — and supported by Portugal and Croatia — lay out a clear action plan: from suspending the application of the Directive to exempting the most affected segments. The coming months will be decisive. The commitment of the Government, and in particular Minister Salvini, may prove crucial in steering the Mediterranean front during the upcoming negotiations.”