The European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF) provides a platform for structural dialogue, exchange of technical knowledge, cooperation and coordination between the Commission, Member States’ authorities and maritime transport stakeholders on issues pertaining to the sustainability and the competitiveness of EU maritime transport.
The ESSF operates since 2013 and has become a effective tool to engage and exchange views on a wide range of environmental issues in maritime transport, such as air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The ESSF has been used to prepare the ground for numerous coordinated submissions to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It also has been at the origin of the concept of the Green Shipping Guarantee Programme. More recently, on an initiative of the ESSF, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), has developed and published LNG bunkering guidance for port authorities and administrations, which will support the use of LNG throughout Europe.
On 27 July 2018, a renewal of the ESSF’s mandate was adopted aiming to (a) further promote the environmentally sustainable initiatives such as alternative fuels (b) decarbonisation (c) increase the efficiency of maritime transport in Europe as part of the overall supply chain (d) maintain the competitiveness of EU shipping.
A revised open call for applications for the selection of additional experts for the ESSF sub-groups has been launched. Interested individuals and organisations are invited to submit their application no later than 30 of April 2021.