Minister Harakka to visit Brussels to discuss emission reductions from shipping

Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka will visit Brussels on Tuesday 26 April 2022. The aim of his visit is to influence the preparation of EU matters related to winter navigation.

Minister Harakka will meet Members of the European Parliament who play a key role in the proposals concerning maritime transport. He will meet Swedish MEPs Jytte Guteland and Emma Wiesner and discuss winter navigation with Finnish MEPs Elsi Katainen, Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, Silvia Modig and Mauri Pekkarinen. Minister Harakka had recently a remote meeting with Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean.

The EU is preparing an extensive Fit for 55 Package that will have a significant impact on maritime transport. While legislation is an efficient means to reduce emissions, it also increases the costs of maritime transport in EU countries. In Finland, the costs may be higher than in the reference countries.The costs are affected by such factors as the prices of emission allowances and alternative fuels, which involve significant uncertainty.The overall annual costs to Finnish winter navigation arising from the Commission's proposals may amount to EUR 50 million by 2030 and to more than EUR 100 million by 2040. It is Finland's objective that winter navigation and Finland's special conditions be taken into account in EU legislation.

Altogether 70% of calls to Finnish ports are made by ice-strengthened ships. They consume more fuel also when navigating in open water than other ships. Around 90% of Finland's exports and around 80% of its imports are transported by sea.

What's next?

France, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, aims for a general approach on the Regulation on alternative marine fuels (FuelEU Maritime proposal) and emissions trading in shipping in June. Based on currently available information, the Parliament will vote on emissions trading in July and on the FuelEU Maritime proposal in September. Once the Council's and Parliament's positions are known, trilogue negotiations between the Council, Parliament and the Commission can be launched.

Inquiries:

Johanna Juselius, Special Adviser to Minister Timo Harakka, tel. +358 50 372 7062, johanna.juselius(at)gov.fi

Päivi Antikainen, Director of Unit, Ministry of Transport and Communications, tel. +358 50 382 7101, paivi.antikainen(at)gov.fi, Twitter @PaiviAntikainen