Interferry is backing the European Commission’s proposed revision of the EU Emissions Trading System, but says ferry operators need reliable shore power, grid capacity and dedicated funding to make larger-scale electrification viable.
The association is calling for 100% of maritime EU ETS revenues to be directed towards maritime decarbonisation, including onshore charging infrastructure, clean technologies and sustainable marine fuels.
Interferry said the proposed revision could support financially sustainable electrification across ferry operations, but warned that battery-electric and hybrid vessels remain constrained by infrastructure at ports.
The association said passenger ports must meet their legal obligations to provide onshore power supply, while Member States need to ensure local electricity grids can provide enough capacity for vessels without disrupting regional energy supplies.
This has a direct bearing on fleet investment decisions. Ferry operators can install larger batteries and deploy hybrid or fully electric vessels, but the usable capacity of those systems is determined in part by how much electricity is available when a vessel reaches port.
Johan Roos, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Interferry, said: “Ferry operators have led the way in electrification, but inadequate shore power and grid capacity limit the battery capacity they can put to use and, in turn, the distances they can cover.”
He added: “Larger batteries and longer crossings are technically feasible, and several large ro-pax ferries are already battery-ready.”
Interferry is also backing the proposed Sustainable Maritime Alternative Propulsion (SMAP) mechanism, although it estimates that the proposed EUR 1 billion annual funding pool will have to serve the wider maritime sector, including ferries.
The association wants Member States to add national funding and establish a predictable route for zero-emission operators to secure SMAP support before committing capital.
“Ports and Member States have a vital role to play, and the Commission’s proposal to revise the maritime EU ETS offers tools to help fund the necessary investment,” Roos said.
Interferry represents more than 280 companies and over 2,200 individuals across more than 40 countries. Its members represent ferry services carrying more than four billion passengers and 370 million vehicles annually.
