The application of the European Union Emission Trading Scheme to maritime transport focuses this February 20 on a technical session in Brussels organized by the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), with the participation of State Ports. The meeting is held at the Universitaire Fondation and brings together port representatives, institutional officials, and sector experts to examine the initial effects of the EU-ETS on maritime flows and the competitiveness of community ports.
The day occurs at a key moment for the system. From January 1, 2026, shipping companies are required to cover 100% of verified emissions in traffic covered by regulations, following the transitional period applied in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, the European Commission plans to review the regulatory framework in the third quarter of the year, where possible adjustments will be evaluated to correct dysfunctions detected in the initial phase.
In this context, State Ports presents the approach and initial work of the EU-ETS Observatory, a tool designed to monitor potential evasion behaviors and analyze whether the inclusion of maritime transport in the European emissions system is influencing the configuration of routes and stops.
The opening of the session is led by the president of State Ports, Gustavo Santana, while the Director of Planning and Development, Manuel Arana, presents the technical foundations of the observatory. The methodological development has been supported by Shipping Business Consultants (SBC) and the Centre for Innovation in Transport (CENIT), which detail the analysis criteria used.
The objective of the EU-ETS Observatory is to identify possible carbon leak phenomena and economic activity towards ports located outside the community framework. To achieve this, it relies on AIS data, stop statistics, vessel capacity, navigated distances, and emission estimates, comparing the evolution of EU ports with that of nearby enclaves in third countries.
One of the key points of the debate is the container transshipment traffic, particularly sensitive to variations in cost structure. In certain regions, the geographic proximity between community and non-community ports facilitates the assessment of operational alternatives by shipping companies if the economic differentials advise it. This scenario has raised concerns in several member states with strategic hubs exposed to direct competition from neighboring ports.
European regulations already include a clause regarding 'neighboring transshipment ports,' as well as a specific mandate to monitor possible evasive practices. However, port organizations and national authorities consider it necessary to have solid empirical data to assess the real magnitude of the phenomenon and, if necessary, propose regulatory adjustments.
The Brussels session aims, precisely, to contribute technical elements to the community debate. Among the issues that will likely focus the discussion are the delimitation of ports considered neighbors, the methodology to distinguish structural changes from cyclical fluctuations, and coordination with other regulatory frameworks, such as third countries' emission trading systems.
For the Spanish port system, the day is particularly relevant. Ports such as Algeciras, Valencia, Barcelona, or Las Palmas have a high transshipment component in their activities and operate in highly competitive environments. The possible reconfiguration of maritime services could impact volumes, revenues, and investment planning.
From ESPO, the inclusion of maritime transport in the EU-ETS has been defended as a decarbonization instrument, while emphasizing the need to preserve the environmental effectiveness of the system and the competitiveness of European ports. The organization believes that continuous monitoring and rigorous technical evaluation are essential in this phase of consolidating the framework.
Today's meeting is part of a European calendar marked by the progressive implementation of climate measures in maritime transport, including the expansion of the EU-ETS scope and the incorporation of new greenhouse gases. In parallel, the shipping industry and port operators analyze the economic impact of these obligations and their possible transfer to logistics chains.
The session will conclude with an open debate with attendees, addressing the main concerns of the sector and the possible lines of action concerning the regulatory review planned for this year.