Interferry has welcomed the European Commission’s proposed revision of the EU Emissions Trading System, telling industry stakeholders the measure could unlock a far greater electrification potential for ferry operations if the final legal text secures the necessary shore‑side infrastructure and grid access. The association’s response was reported on 24 September 2026.
Interferry, the global trade association representing the ferry industry, described the Commission’s proposal as carrying significant potential to accelerate maritime decarbonisation, while underlining that that potential will not be realised automatically. The association framed its reaction around the practical requirements for switching ferries from fossil fuels to electricity.
Central to Interferry’s assessment was the need for accessible onshore power infrastructure and reliable grid connections, matters the association says must be addressed through Member State obligations within the final ETS revision. Interferry made clear that regulatory ambition needs to be matched by concrete measures to ensure vessels can plug in and draw sufficient power when in port.
Electrification as conditional opportunity
Interferry’s commentary positioned electrification as an opportunity contingent on infrastructure and policy delivery rather than a guaranteed outcome of higher carbon prices alone. The association highlighted the proposed ETS revision as a lever that could change commercial signals for operators, but added that those signals must be matched by accessible shore power and grid reliability to enable vessel electrification at scale.
Member State obligations and practical delivery
In its response, Interferry emphasised that obligations placed on Member States in the final text will be decisive for implementation on the ground. The association urged that the draft measure should require the deployment of shore‑side facilities and dependable connections so that ferries can routinely access electric supply during port calls, thereby making fleet electrification practicable.
reports recorded Interferry’s reaction to the European Commission proposal on 24 September 2026, noting the association’s focus on infrastructure and grid access as prerequisites for any meaningful acceleration in decarbonisation. The report framed Interferry’s position as supportive of the Commission’s direction while insisting on specific safeguards in the final legislation.
Interferry’s intervention serves as a reminder that industry trade bodies are closely scrutinising the detail of the ETS revision, seeking assurances that regulatory change will translate into operational capability. The association’s emphasis on accessible shore power and reliable grid connections reflects a pragmatic concern that policy design must address the supply‑side constraints facing maritime electrification.
The association’s comments, as reported, indicate it sees room for the proposed ETS changes to drive a step change in ferry emissions only if the final text includes enforceable obligations on Member States to deliver shore‑side infrastructure and grid reliability. Interferry’s stance therefore frames the coming negotiations over the Commission’s draft as crucial for whether the ferry sector can capitalise on electrification opportunities.