EMSA
  • This Is EMSA
      • Back
      • Agency structure
      • Administrative Board
      • Our Management
      • Mission Statements
      • Legal Foundation
      • Financial Management
      • Environmental Management
      • Quality Management System
      • Partnerships
      • Personal Data Protection
      • Work with us
      • Transparency Portal
  • What we do
      • Back
      • Sustainability Sustainability
      • Safety & Security Safety & Security
      • Digitalisation Digitalisation
      • Simplification Simplification
      • Surveillance Surveillance
      • Technical Assistance Technical Assistance
  • Events
      • Back
      • Workshop Materials
      • Training Materials
  • Newsroom
      • Back
      • Latest News
      • Newsletters
      • Video Gallery
      • Infographics
      • Press Area
      • COVID-19 Impact
      • Subscriptions
      • Connect with EMSA
  • Publications
      • Back
      • Annual Highlights 2024
      • Corporate Publications
      • Leaflets & Brochures
      • Guidelines & Inventories
      • Technical Reports
      • Documents
      • Financial Texts
      • Legislative Texts
      • Maritime Data
  • Contact us
      • Back
      • Practical Information
      • Contact Form
      • Advanced Search
      • Connect with EMSA
  1. Newsroom
  2. Press Releases
  3. Two alternatives to fossil fuel in the maritime transport sector, biofuels and ammonia, are analysed in a set of new reports released by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)

Two alternatives to fossil fuel in the maritime transport sector, biofuels and ammonia, are analysed in a set of new reports released by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)

Date

Published
18.10.2022
Updated
18.10.2022

The reports, prepared to support the European Commission in the ongoing work on the “Fit for 55” package, in particular on the FuelEU Maritime proposal, analyse both alternatives across a number of indicators, including availability, sustainability, cost implications, and safety

As a ‘drop-in’ fuel which could replace conventional fossil fuels without substantial engine modification, biofuels can offer an immediate alternative for the existing fleet. The report finds that many of the existing maritime regulations can be transferred from fossil fuels to biofuels, and the safety risks are broadly similar. However, the research notes that the future availability of sustainable biofuels may be in question, given the size of any potential demand from the maritime sector.

Based on the growing interest for ammonia-fuelled vessels and in projects to produce green ammonia, the report concludes that ammonia is likely to transition to a marine fuel which could enter the market quickly and offer a zero or near-zero carbon solution. However, despite the maritime sector’s extensive experience in handling ammonia as cargo, there is currently little accumulated industry knowledge in its use as a fuel, indicating a need for further understanding of the potential safety related risks and other challenges it poses.

In addition, the study has identified a number of barriers to the widespread deployment of ammonia, including access to renewable electricity for its green production, and technology and regulatory gaps which could prevent its immediate application.

The Executive Director of EMSA, Maja Markovčić Kostelac, said: “The reports we release today are just a first step in our research into the potential of different alternative fuels and power solutions, and form part of the support we provide at this critical moment in the maritime sector’s voyage towards decarbonisation. Throughout our work, we keep the safety aspect of alternative fuels firmly in our focus, as the transition to true maritime sustainability can never be complete without the safety dimension.”

According to the European Maritime Transport Environmental Report, issued by EMSA and the European Environment Agency, maritime transport produces 13.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions from transport in the EU.  In 2020, ships of more than 5,000 GT calling at EU and EEA ports emitted 126 million tonnes of CO2, as reported in EMSA’s THETIS-MRV database.

Today’s reports were launched at a high-level workshop on alternative fuels and power solutions for shipping and ports at EMSA’s headquarters in Lisbon and online.

Read the Update on the Potential of Biofuels for Shipping report  

Read the Potential of ammonia as fuel in shipping report

Join the workshop online (18 – 20 October)

ABOUT EMSA

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) is a decentralised agency of the EU, based in Lisbon, Portugal. EMSA serves the EU’s maritime interests for a safe, secure, green and competitive maritime sector, delivering value for member states through support for pollution prevention and response, maritime surveillance, safety and security, digitalisation and the provision of integrated maritime services, and technical assistance.

Any requests for further information can be sent to: information@emsa.europa.eu

Files

pdf EMSA_PRESS RELEASE_ALTERNATIVE_FUEL_STUDIES.pdf
  • Categories
    Press Releases
Europen Union flag
An Agency of the European Union
Working with us
Open vacancies
Traineeships
Public Procurement
Experts and Speakers
Transparency portal
Data protection
Access to documents
Legal notice
Contact
European Maritime Safety Agency
Praça Europa 4
Cais do Sodré
1249-206 LISBOA
Portugal
Access our contact form
Facebook linkedin X instagram Youtube
© 2025 European Maritime Safety Agency All Rights Reserved.
Information on this site is subject to a disclaimer, a copyright and personal data protection.