Sustainable Marine Fuels
In a globalized world, shipping goods has become indispensable. Compared to road transfer and aviation, shipping is the least carbon-intensive way of transportation. Still, it emits significant amounts of GHG emissions into the atmosphere. As the demand for both raw materials and finished products around the globe continues to rise, the shipping industry is expected to further grow. The maritime sector, as all industries, must undergo a transformation and contribute to reaching the EU’s goal of becoming a climate-neutral economy by 2050.
Sustainable Marine Fuels Covered Under ISCC Certification
- Biofuels (liquid fuels for the transport sector produced from bio-based feedstocks)
- Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO)*
- Recycled Carbon Fuels*
* ISCC EU Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs) and Recycled Carbon Fuels (RCFs) certification approach has been positively assessed by the European Commission (EC). As a next step, the EC will start the official recognition process and aims for completion by the end of 2024. Once the official recognition is in place, ISCC EU RFNBOs and RCFs certification will be applicable.
Applicable ISCC Certification Schemes
The Status Quo
The maritime sector today relies almost entirely on fossil fuels, mainly heavy fuel oil. Currently there is no far-reaching regulation in place to tackle the significant GHG emissions impact of the sector.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
is an alternative fuel that is available today and has a positive impact on air quality. Due to its carbon intensity it cannot form a large proportion of the bunker fuel mix in 2050 though.
What Needs to Happen
To meet the 2050 goals, the shipping industry must undergo a global transition to alternative fuels and energy sources. The production and procurement of promising fuels like green hydrogen and ammonia must be accelerated and new ships must be equipped for alternative fuels.
The Regulatory Situation
With the Fit for 55 package, the European Commission aims to deliver on its commitment to reduce net GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990). To achieve this deep transformation, ambitious and harmonized climate, energy, land use, transport and tax policies need to be put in place and work hand in hand.
With the “FuelEU Maritime” regulation, the Commission proposes a policy instrument that seeks to drive the shift towards low-carbon maritime fuels. It will provide the regulatory framework in the EU and is expected to come into force as of 2025. The regulation aims to incentivize the use of cleaner fuels, ensure greater certainty for the industry and investors alike, while employing an overall technology-neutral approach.
What ISCC Certification Does
ISCC is committed to supporting the maritime sector in moving towards a net-zero future. As a widely recognized, leading sustainability certification scheme – grounded in a broad stakeholder dialogue – ISCC is in a prime position to offer sustainable marine fuels (SMF) certification that ensures both high integrity and practical applicability “on-the-ground”. Put succinctly, ISCC certification for SMF ensures sustainability in feedstock production, traceability of sustainable products through the supply chain as well as credible, verified reductions of life cycle emissions. With the ISCC system recognized under the EU’s revised Renewable Energy Directive (“RED II”) as well as other major energy markets, ISCC certification is set to play a major role under the upcoming FuelEU Maritime regulation and beyond. We invite you to benefit from ISCC’s extensive experience in certifying sustainable fuels and be among the first movers in the maritime sustainability transition.
ISCC’s Recognitions
ISCC proves compliance with legal requirements for biofuels / bioliquids in the European Union and other important energy markets.
News on ISCC and Sustainable Marine Fuels
ISCC Event on Sustainable Marine Fuels
ISCC Technical Stakeholder Meeting
ISCC has established a Technical Stakeholder Committee on Sustainable Marine Fuels. In addition to yearly meetings, during which ISCC and ISCC stakeholders share the latest news from the SMF space, the Committee is tasked with further advancing certification solutions for SMF, to be integrated into the ISCC system.
Date to be announced