EmissionLink calls for EU ETS revenues to fund maritime carbon capture trials and port infrastructure

Philippos Ioulianou, Managing Director of EmissionLink, has urged that a portion of EU ETS revenues be utilized for onboard carbon capture trials and supporting port infrastructure. This measure is essential to counter the technology's commercial unviability. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is devising interim safety guidelines for onboard carbon capture systems.

However, Ioulianou believes that regulatory steps must be accompanied by infrastructure investment, emissions accounting mechanisms, and commercial arrangements to attract shipowners. He stresses that a viable business case, backed by verified emissions savings, and clear financial benefits are necessary. EmissionLink advocates for demonstration projects evaluating every stage of carbon capture, from capturing to storage or usage.

These trials should meet performance criteria and produce independently verifiable emissions data for regulatory and investment reference. However, EmissionLink notes that onboard carbon capture may not be practical for all vessels. Fixed-route ships present the most promising initial applications, as operators can plan carbon storage and offloading at designated ports.

In contrast, vessels on irregular routes or spot charters face greater logistical challenges, especially when carbon reception facilities and transportation are unavailable. Technical suitability depends on vessel age, available space, power demand, and commercial life. Ship owners and charterers must resolve contractual issues regarding extra fuel consumption, offloading delays, and compliance benefits allocation.

Moreover, EmissionLink highlights the need for clearer emissions accounting and regulatory recognition. While the EU ETS recognizes carbon capture and permanent storage, practical monitoring, reporting, and verification procedures for maritime carbon capture are inadequate. Shipowners must also be certain about how carbon capture savings will be measured, verified, and recognized under relevant regulations, such as FuelEU Maritime, which regulates energy used onboard ships.

EmissionLink believes that the IMO's safety framework development period should be used to advance commercial trials, verification procedures, and port infrastructure concurrently.