Sea Europe urges EC to improve recognition of wind propulsion tech under EU Taxonomy

July 15, 2024, by Naida Hakirevic Prevljak

The Shipyards’ & Maritime Equipment Association of Europe (SEA Europe) has called on the European Commission to upgrade and improve the recognition of wind propulsion technologies under the EU Taxonomy.

Wind propulsion is seen as a key solution in achieving decarbonization goals in the maritime sector. It was recognized as a net-zero technology in the EU Net-Zero Industry Act. However, its status as a green technology under the EU Green Taxonomy remains unclear, according to SEA Europe.

Concretely, the screening criteria established in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2485 do not fairly represent the green credentials of vessels equipped with wind propulsion systems. Therefore, SEA Europe has urged the European Commission to evaluate potential amendments to the screening criteria to account for the specific technical characteristics of vessels using wind propulsion techniques.

SEA Europe explained that in the recent reply to a parliamentary question, the European Commission does not take into account the specific case of vessels that do not have an EEDI threshold to meet because their low tonnage falls below the reference line’s lower limit. Therefore, for those vessels, it is impossible to calculate a valid comparison with the reference line.

Additionally, the EEDI calculations for sailing cargo vessels are ‘problematic’, according to the association. This is because the performance of sail propulsion technology is assessed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), which is described as ‘costly and flawed’.

Moreover, the challenges with using EEDI as the sole criterion are exacerbated by its link to FuelEU Maritime, the association pointed out.

The International Windship Association (IWSA) has welcomed the initiative and the open letter calling on the EU to upgrade and improve the recognition of wind propulsion technologies under the EU Taxonomy.

“This backs the work that the International Windship Association has been doing directly to improve the FEUM legislation over the last few years and as part of our activities in the ESSF. Better evaluation of wind propulsion systems in the EEDI/EEXI calculations at IMO is also a target area, and proposed revisions to circ. 896 will be forthcoming over this year too,” IWSA Secretary Gavin Allwright said in a LinkedIn update.