by Celine Audenaerdt, Head of Environmental and Technical Affairs, Royal Belgian Shipowners' Association (KBRV)*

Offshore shipping is a cornerstone of Europe's energy transition. It enables the installation of wind farms, subsea cables, and marine infrastructure essential to decarbonisation. Companies such as DEME and Jan De Nul are globally recognised leaders in this field, directly supporting EU climate ambitions.

Yet, despite this contribution, the sector faces regulatory misalignment under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). Designed for traditional cargo shipping, it's now being applied to a fundamentally different operational model.

The result is a growing concern that climate policy may unintentionally penalise the very actors driving the transition.

* The main body of this article was completed prior to the publication of the European Commission's EU ETS maritime review in mid-July 2026. The analysis and recommendations reflected the regulatory framework and stakeholder positions available at the time of writing. The article was then amended in the EU ETS under review - policy recommendations section. Download PDF