EU invests €1 billion in alternative fuels

The EC has called for bids from the sector to supply alternative fuels infrastructure along its Trans-European Network of Transport (TEN-T), which includes maritime operations such as inland waterways.

The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) aims to put accessible electric recharging pools and hydrogen refuelling stations across the EU’s main transport corridors and hubs, and identifies maritime transport as ‘an essential component of the Union’s transport system and plays a critical role for the Union’s economy’.

“Maritime transport accounts for around 75% of the Union’s external trade and 31% of its internal trade in terms of volume,” says the EU’s regulation on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport. “400 million passengers embark or disembark annually in ports of Member States, including around 14 million on cruise passenger ships.

“The maritime transport market is subject to strong competition between economic actors within and outside the Union for which a level playing field is indispensable.

“The stability and prosperity of the maritime transport market and its economic actors rely on a clear and harmonised policy framework within which maritime transport operators, ports and other actors in the sector can operate on the basis of equal opportunities.

“Where market distortions occur, they risk putting maritime transport operators or ports at a disadvantage compared to their competitors within the maritime transport sector or in other transport sectors.

“In turn, it is possible for that disadvantage to result in a loss of competitiveness of the maritime transport industry, fewer jobs and a loss of connectivity for citizens and businesses.”

Bids for infrastructure grants can be made here until September 2024,m when they will be evaluated by the European Commission and the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency.