Assarmatori Calls for EU Policy Shift During High-Level Visit to Brussels
A senior delegation from Assarmatori, the Italian shipowners’ association, concluded a two-day visit to Brussels with a strong message: maritime transport is essential to Europe’s security, cohesion, and environmental goals, but current EU policies risk undermining its strategic value.
Chairman Stefano Messina warned that elements of the EU Green Deal—particularly the Emissions Trading System (ETS)—are distorting competition and threatening critical maritime infrastructure. “We must overcome the excesses of the Green Deal to unleash new momentum,” he said, highlighting the ferry sector’s crucial role in connecting islands and supporting modal shift through the Motorways of the Sea.
The delegation met with European Commission leaders, MEPs, and Italian representatives in Brussels, advocating for a more balanced approach that supports fleet renewal and the deployment of sustainable marine fuels without destabilising vital shipping routes and hubs.
