‘Green Corridors’ and New Fuel Logistics

The importance of maritime transport in world trade is indisputable, as approximately 80% of global goods are transported by sea. Europe, as the world’s largest exporter and second largest importer, depends on these services to compete internationally. In this context, the European Union (EU) is committed not only to promoting efficiency in maritime transport, but also to leading the process of decarbonisation of the sector through strategies such as the Global Gateway, which promotes the transition to sustainable fuels.

Decarbonisation and regulatory framework for new fuels:

Decarbonisation in shipping has become a priority for both the EU and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). In 2021, the EU reported that shipping contributes 3-4% to CO₂ emissions, equivalent to 124 million tonnes. The EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulation sets specific limits for emissions intensity, thus promoting the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels.

IMO’s revised global strategy for 2023 sets emission reduction targets with the goal of achieving zero net emissions by 2050. This strategy encourages the creation of new business models based on sustainable fuels and energy efficiency technologies.

‘Green corridors’ represent a crucial opportunity to reduce the environmental footprint of maritime transport. These are specific routes where vessels operate exclusively with renewable fuels and energy-efficient technologies. These corridors not only facilitate the transit of sustainable ships, but also give participating ports access to a stable network of port connections in Europe and beyond, ensuring the availability of low-carbon fuels throughout the supply chain.

EU ‘Green Corridors’ strategy and new fuels dynamics:

From an EU perspective, the implementation of these ‘green corridors’ is strategic. Targets include reducing the carbon content of marine fuels by 2% by 2025, reaching an 80% reduction by 2050. Although there is currently no universally suitable fuel for all routes, options such as bio-methane, bio-ammonia, e-methanol and e-ammonia have emerged as viable alternatives to meet the short- and long-term goals of the maritime sector’s energy transition.

Specifically, the Global Green Gateway Corridor (GGGSC) seeks to position the EU as a leader in the transformation of maritime transport. Among its main objectives are:

• Increase the production of renewable and low-carbon fuels outside the EU.
• Establish a green energy infrastructure in emerging economies, strengthening the EU’s role as a global partner.
• Promote the use of green, innovative maritime technologies.

Green corridors’ face diverse challenges including geopolitical, regulatory and economic aspects. In addition, there are barriers related to the development of skills for fuel management and emerging technologies, and the need for alignment of national policies with international regulations in partner countries.

In short, the transition to a sustainable maritime sector faces significant challenges, but also offers opportunities. The Global Gateway strategy facilitates investment in digital, energy and transport networks, promoting not only green growth but also EU competitiveness and development in partner countries. In the long term, ports that adopt sustainable fuels and energy efficiency technologies will strengthen their competitiveness, benefiting from clean and resilient logistics.