The inclusion of maritime transport in the European emissions trading system from January 1, 2024, brings increases in ticket prices and freight rates on Adriatic routes. The additional costs arising from ship emissions are being passed on to ship users.
Both the Grimaldi Group and the Attica Group, operating on Greece-Italy routes, announced yesterday surcharges per freight unit. Attica also announced surcharges for passengers, a move expected to be followed by the Grimaldi Group.
The Italian Grimaldi Group, which had previously disclosed initial charges in late November for trucks, nearly halved the rates in a new announcement yesterday due to competitive pressures. The group aims to demonstrate maximum support for its partners by adjusting the amounts accordingly, considering competition’s policy on using the ETS for Greece-Italy routes and vice versa.
Surcharges vary, ranging from €1.50 per linear meter on the Igoumenitsa-Bari lines (and vice versa) to €5.70 on the Patras-Ancona line. Consequently, a 20-meter truck will incur additional costs ranging from €34 to €114.
Attica Group announced passenger ticket surcharges ranging from €4 to €12 depending on the route, reflecting the corresponding “CO2 levy.”
According to the Attica Group’s communication to maritime agents, the European Union has set January 1, 2024, as the implementation date for the Emission Trading System (ETS) for shipping, as part of its climate change policy.
The ETS is integrated into the EU’s “Fit for 55” goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) and achieve zero pollution emissions by 2050.
The implementation of the new regulation requires shipping companies to purchase pollution allowances covering 100% of their emissions for trips within the EU and 50% for trips where either the departure or arrival port is outside the EU, to offset their carbon dioxide emissions.
The new environmental regulation will apply from January 1, 2024, to passenger ships over 5,000 gross tons serving islands with over 200,000 inhabitants and on routes connecting Greece to other countries. An exemption has been granted in Greece until 2029 for coastal ships serving islands with fewer than 200,000 inhabitants. This regulation affects Attica Group’s Crete and Adriatic routes.
Expect surcharges to be announced shortly for Crete routes by both Attica Group and Minoan Lines, the two companies operating on those routes.
The introduction of EU regulations is expected to significantly increase the operational costs of ships.
The ANEK – SUPERFAST consortium aims to minimize the impact on its customers while complying with regulatory obligations by implementing the new EU ETS levy on Adriatic route freight tickets from January 1, 2024.
The EU ETS charge will be adjusted monthly based on market averages for CO2 emissions. Attica highlights that the collected EU ETS charge will directly contribute to the EU, supporting environmental programs and initiatives to reduce emissions for a more sustainable future.
