You are using an outdated browser For a better experience using this site, please upgrade to a modern web browser. Subscribe Get Daily Email Subscribe --> Contact Us Sign in Home News & Features Compliance Costs Bunker Prices Bunker Intelligence EMEA News Latest Features World Americas EMEA Asia/Pacific Home News & Features EMEA ECSA Seeks Permanent ETS Exemptions for Islands and Ice-Classed Ships ECSA Seeks Permanent ETS Exemptions for Islands and Ice-Classed Ships by Ship & Bunker News Team Wednesday July 15, 2026 Tweet Follow @shipandbunker ECSA says long-term exemptions are needed to protect regional connectivity and keep European shipping competitive. File Image / Pixabay European Shipowners (ECSA) has urged the European Commission to make EU ETS exemptions for island routes and ice-classed ships permanent beyond 2030 . The industry body said on Monday that the current derogations should also apply automatically across all EU member states rather than depending on national governments to activate them. ECSA wants the island exemption extended to all EU islands, regardless of population, and to cover both passenger and cargo vessels. It also called for the exemption for ice-classed ships to be made permanent, saying their higher fuel consumption is driven by safety requirements in harsh winter conditions rather than commercial decisions. The association also proposed expanding the exemption for the EU's outermost regions to cover all voyages to, from and between those regions, while retaining relief for transnational public service routes. It said the changes would help maintain essential shipping links while preserving the current geographical scope of the EU ETS Ship & Bunker News Team To contact the editor responsible for this story email us at [email protected] Also in the News U.S./Iran Hostilities No Match For Inflation Worries, Oil Dips 2% Sentiment holds that the resumption of hostilities will be short-lived. Read in Full VIEWPOINT: