The General Director of the Merchant Marine, Ana Núñez Velasco, presented during the technical day "Decarbonization of Maritime Transport" the new ministerial order of aid, funded with 250 million euros to boost the modernization of the Spanish merchant fleet and reduce CO₂ emissions. The event, organized by SOERMAR in collaboration with ALIMIA Shipyards Group, brought together shipowners, shipyards, technologists, classification societies, and suppliers to discuss practical decarbonization solutions, both through retrofitting existing ships and in new constructions.
During the event, real cases of application of efficient technologies and alternative propulsion methods were shown, such as wind propulsion systems, advanced digitalization, biofuels, hydrogen, and ammonia, as well as onboard carbon capture (OCCS). Experts emphasized that the energy transition is possible with available technologies but requires investment, clear regulation, and international coordination.
The ministerial order, partially funded by revenue from the European Emissions Trading Scheme, will support projects that exceed European limits on greenhouse gas intensity, promoting new clean constructions, retrofitting existing ships, and improvements in energy efficiency, with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of the Spanish fleet by more than 20% by 2030. Ana Núñez emphasized that decarbonization is both an environmental challenge and a technological and industrial opportunity, consolidating the competitiveness of the Spanish and European naval sector.