This new issue of Maritime Innovation series analyses the impact of extending the EU ETS to maritime transport, to be introduced from 2024 as part of the European Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package. The report highlights how the new CO₂ cost represents a significant shift for shipowners, ports and logistics chains, transforming emissions into a direct economic cost. However, the analysis shows that carbon pricing alone is not sufficient to bring about an orderly transition to alternative fuels, which are still characterised by limitations in terms of availability, technological maturity and economic viability.

Particular attention is paid to the competitive risks facing the Mediterranean and Italian systems, with reference to transhipment, the Motorways of the Sea and the possible diversion of traffic to non-EU ports. Finally, the paper emphasises the need to use ETS revenues in a targeted manner to support investment in alternative fuels, port infrastructure, digitalisation and operational efficiency. The ecological transition of the maritime sector cannot therefore be limited to making emissions more expensive, but must create the conditions for reducing emissions to become technically feasible, economically sustainable and logistically competitive.