Why an amended EU ETS would pose problems for the tug industry

Plans by the European Union to extend its proposed emissions trading scheme (ETS) to include harbour vessels will add to the burden on European tug owners, who are still struggling to generate profits for reinvestment.

In its current form, the ETS will apply only to larger vessels weighing over 5,000 gt trading between European ports or arriving or departing from them. However, European Tugowners Association (ETA) secretary general Anna Maria Darmanin tells Riviera Maritime Media there are plans to lower this threshold to 400 gt, which would include some of the largest harbour tugs operating in the region.

Secretary General Darmanin says it would be very problematic if the policy threshold were lowered to vessels weighing 400 gt, as there is, as yet, no clear fuel or technology solution that would both cut CO2 emissions for tugboats and also allow them to operate safely.

In the video, Secretary General Darmanin explains why electric tugs will not be feasible for all harbour and emergency operations on safety grounds. She notes, for instance, the limitations that battery-powered tugs would face when operating for long periods of emergency response around European coastlines.

Secretary General Darmanin offers real-life examples including the frequent requirements on tugs to prevent passenger and cargo ships facing adverse weather conditions from grounding along the coast.

Ms Darmanin says only diesel-fuelled tugs could keep this level of towage and ship control and safely work to prevent serious catastrophes such as ship groundings.