Carbon Leakage is Not a Mirage
As discussions on the ETS revision intensify ahead of the Commission proposal expected in July 2026, the debate increasingly reflects the need to reconcile climate ambition, competitiveness and economic resilience. In this context, FEPORT takes note of the High-Level Roundtable organised by the European Commission on 12 May, which brought together part of the institutional representatives and industry stakeholders to exchange views on the future evolution of the ETS.
Given the strategic role of ports and terminal operators in Europe’s trade, connectivity, resilience and decarbonisation efforts, FEPORT underlines the importance of ensuring that the operational and investment realities of the port sector continue to be adequately reflected throughout the ongoing discussions.
The next ETS revision will be a defining moment for Europe’s maritime policy and should meet the expectations of all sectors involved, including ports and terminal operators, which are at the frontline of Europe’s trade, logistics and decarbonisation efforts.
FEPORT fully supports the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. European ports and terminal operators are already investing significantly in decarbonisation, electrification, digitalisation and energy efficiency, including through the deployment of onshore power supply (OPS) and other clean technologies.
At the same time, the effectiveness of climate policy must also be assessed against its operational and economic consequences. The ETS revision therefore offers an opportunity not only to strengthen decarbonisation efforts, but also to evaluate the broader impacts of the system on Europe’s transport and logistics ecosystem.
For Europe’s ports and terminals, one issue deserves particular attention: transhipment relocation.
Too often, transhipment relocation is still presented as a theoretical or potential risk. Yet developments across maritime logistics chains increasingly suggest that behavioural changes are already emerging. Routing decisions and transhipment patterns are beginning to adapt to the regulatory and cost differentials created by the ETS.
Ports are not simply transit points. They are strategic economic platforms supporting trade, connectivity, energy supply and Europe’s broader resilience. A reduction in traffic volumes or the diversion of activities towards neighbouring non-EU hubs could weaken both the competitiveness of individual ports and the resilience of European logistics chains.
ETS revenues should play a stronger role in supporting not only shipping decarbonisation but also port electrification, energy infrastructure and the deployment of clean technologies throughout the logistics chain.
FEPORT therefore recommends that a clear earmarking of part of ETS revenues be explicitly mentioned to support the decarbonisation and electrification of ports. Such investments are essential not only to safeguard the competitiveness of EU ports facing competition from third-country hubs operating under less stringent climate legislation, but also to contribute to the EU’s climate and environmental objectives.
Because for Europe’s ports and terminal operators, carbon leakage is not a mirage, the loss of revenues is unfortunately proving to be real and may ultimately endanger the investments required for the energy transition. It is therefore crucial that ETS revenues are channelled to ports.
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