European Companies Will Not Pay Twice for Carbon Emissions Under EU ETS and IMO Framework

European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism delivered a significant assurance to the shipping industry at the opening ceremony of Posidonia 2026, held in Athens from 1 to 5 June. Speaking directly to assembled shipowners and industry leaders, the commissioner stated: "European companies will not pay twice, both in Europe and in the IMO."

The commitment addresses one of the shipping industry's central concerns: the risk of overlapping carbon pricing obligations under the European Union's Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) emerging global emissions framework — known as the Net Zero Framework. The EU ETS for shipping, which requires full surrender of allowances for 100% of emissions from 2026 onwards, has already increased compliance costs for European operators. The prospect of an additional global levy through the IMO has heightened industry anxiety about double-charging.

The Commissioner reaffirmed EU support for ongoing IMO negotiations to implement the IMO's 2023 GHG Strategy, while acknowledging that recent IMO discussions had not produced a final agreement. He noted that the EU's updated negotiating mandate seeks practical solutions capable of attracting broad international consensus. On the broader challenge of decarbonisation, he acknowledged that regulation alone would be insufficient, stressing the need for coordinated action between shipowners, ports, fuel suppliers, and governments to align investment, infrastructure, and fuel availability. Shipping currently contributes approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions.