The European Commission has granted exemption to the FuelEU Maritime regulations, due to enter into force in January 2025, for certain ferry services serving small islands and minor ports.
The exemptions, which concern vessels serving these ports and islands, are in response to a notification by Italy that it had decided to exempt these services from the requirements to use renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport, under Article 2(3) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1805. Such exemptions can be granted to member states for what are regarded as essential maritime services fulfilling public service obligations or public service contracts operating before the entry into force of the regulation.
A full list of the ports and islands, as well as the named vessels serving these routes can be found here.
Image: Ro-pax vessel ‘Nuraghes’, on the Civitavecchia–Olbia route, is exempted from FuelEU Maritime (source: Port of Olbia)
