“Time to Slow Down Ships to Save Marine Life”: OceanCare CEO on EU’s New Maritime Transport Environmental Assessment
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and European Environment Agency (EEA) released an assessment of the ecological footprint of shipping in European waters on Tuesday, 4 February 2025. OceanCare’s Managing Director Fabienne McLellan participated in the high-level launch event in Lisbon. We spoke with her about the report’s key findings and what they mean for ocean protection.
The new European Maritime Transport Environmental Report (EMTER) has just been released. What are the main takeaways?
This report delivers both encouraging and concerning news. The success story is the dramatic reduction in sulphur emissions – a 70% drop since 2014 thanks to effective EU regulation. This proves that binding measures work and can create real change. However, the report also shows that shipping’s overall climate and environmental footprint continues to grow. CO2 emissions are on the rise and methane emissions have at least doubled since 2018. The severe concerns about ocean noise pollution and fatal collisions of ships with whales remain.
Why is this report important for ocean conservation?
This fully up-to date and comprehensive overview is a prime example of a factual, scientific analysis that furthers policymaking based on the best available and sound data. It provides clear evidence that regulation works. The success in reducing sulphur emissions shows that when we implement binding measures, we can achieve significant improvements while creating a level playing field for industry. This is crucial because right now, we’re facing multiple challenges: rising greenhouse gas emissions, increasing underwater noise, and growing risks to marine life from ship strikes.
The report discusses various measures to reduce environmental impact. What solution does OceanCare advocate?
We’re calling for mandatory speed limits for ships. It’s a simple measure which has proven to be effective and could be implemented immediately. EMTER 2025 also confirms that reducing vessel speed is a viable operational measure generating multiple benefits. Scientists have estimated that with a 20% reduction in vessel speed, global CO2 emissions from shipping could be reduced by 24%, underwater noise by up to 70% and the risk of fatal collisions with whales by up to 78%. All this through one measure that requires no new technology – just political will.
Why focus on speed limits specifically?
The transition to clean fuels and green propulsion is crucial to make shipping ecologically sustainable. Same holds for other technical measures such as ship building and propeller design. But it will take at least a decade before they can be implemented on a large scale and show environmental benefits. Yet when looking at the crisis the oceans are in, time is of essence.
Speed reduction is something we can do right now. It’s the most cost-effective way to reduce shipping’s environmental impact, and it creates immediate benefits for marine life. The report identifies several areas where ship noise levels are particularly high, including parts of the Mediterranean, the English Channel, and the Baltic Sea. There has also been a notable rise in collision risks of ships with marine wildlife within Natura 2000 protected areas. Slower speeds would help decrease the pressure on marine wildlife in these sensitive areas.
What about the economic aspects?
Maritime transport is and should remain the backbone of global trade. It has the potential to become the most sustainable way of moving goods across continents. But currently, its environmental costs are too high, particularly due to the continued use of heavy fuel oil. Speed limits would actually help the industry by creating a level playing field – just as we’ve seen with the sulphur regulations. When rules apply equally to everyone, it prevents unfair competition while protecting the environment.
What are the next steps?
The EU has already created a foundation for decarbonising maritime transport through the European Green Deal and various regulations. But we need immediate action while waiting for longer-term solutions like alternative fuels. That’s why mandatory speed reductions are part of our “Because Our Planet Is Blue” petition’s six key demands, which we will present at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice this June.
Looking ahead, are you optimistic?
The success of sulphur regulation shows what’s possible when there’s political will. As we face growing environmental pressures and a challenging global political climate, Europe must lead the transformation of shipping into truly sustainable transport. We have the solutions – now we need the courage to implement them.
Download the full report in your language and watch the recording of the EMTER launch event including Fabienne McLellan’s contribution to the roundtable discussion on “Pollution and Marine Ecosystems” on the EMSA website.
