The government announced on Thursday the launch of a call for projects with €62.2 million to « accelerate the exit of fossil fuels from maritime transport », responsible for « nearly 3% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Europe ».
The device, whose envelope is less than the 70 million announced at the beginning of February at the Euromaritime trade show, will be piloted by the Agency for the Environment and Energy Management (Ademe).
Financed by an arrow of the European carbon tax paid by shipowners, it aims to support several approaches that can reduce the sector’s dependence on fossil fuels, the main responsible for global warming, according to a statement signed by Philippe Tabarot (Transport), Catherine Chabaud (Sea and Fishing) and Sébastien Martin (Industry).
The following are mentioned: the energy improvement of ships, through « innovative on-board equipment and solutions », and « the acquisition of clean new ships, with zero emissions or more energy efficiency ».
Also listed are investments for the strengthening of European production capacities (« creation or expansion of factories and shipyards and new production lines of equipment or systems intended for this decarbonization ») or investments in port infrastructure.
Potential beneficiaries include « shipowners, shipowners, charterers, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, seaports, terminal operators, alternative fuel suppliers and distributors, » the government details.
« We do not give gifts to the sector, » said Ms. Chabaud in February, according to whom this is a support for « a dynamic » of decarbonization that « is underway ». The downturning of European funds was decided during an interministerial committee on the sea last May, she recalled.
source : Connaissance des energies
