Our latest news and releases

EU Jordan Gribble EU Jordan Gribble

EU must take customs reform opportunity

Ahead of World Customs Day 2025, the shipping, logistics, and trade industry has issued a joint statement calling for customs reform that keeps pace with the growing complexity of global trade. 

Read More
International, EU, Safety Anna Larsson International, EU, Safety Anna Larsson

Logistics Trade Bodies Unite in calls for Industry action on new EU Import Declarations

Global and European trade associations representing shippers, forwarders and vessel operators have issued an urgent alert to all businesses involved in the movement of goods into or via the European Union, Norway, Switzerland or Northern Ireland, by sea, road or rail to be ready for the new Import Control System (ICS2) that will start to be introduced from June this year.

Read More

Liner shipping’s EU policy priorities for a Sustainable, Competitive, and Secure Maritime Sector – World Shipping Council

Brussels, April 18, 2024 — The World Shipping Council (WSC) is calling on the EU to design policy frameworks that facilitate the essential role of shipping in a globally connected economy and to forge the path to net-zero shipping by 2050 in partnership with industry.

Read More
EU, International, Safety Anna Larsson EU, International, Safety Anna Larsson

Maritime and Port Industry Stakeholders Welcome the IMCO vote on UCC Reform, urging further efforts to secure a smart, safe, and competitive Customs Union

Today, the European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee (IMCO) adopted its report on the reform of the Union Customs Code (UCC). This core economic legislation determines the efficiency, resilience and competitiveness of the EU’s external border for trade. More than ever getting that right is vital for the EU’s businesses and citizens. Ninety percent of the EU’s external trade relies on shipping, making it vital that the UCC is well adapted to this strategic sector. The UCC needs to facilitate maritime transport, including by enabling efficient goods storage in ports, thus enabling the seamless connection of maritime transport to hinterland logistics chains.

Read More
EU, Climate & Environment Anna Larsson EU, Climate & Environment Anna Larsson

Realising EU's 2040 climate goals for the maritime sector will need strengthened global commitments

The European Commission's recommendation for the EU's 2040 climate targets, calling for a 90% net GHG emission reductions, are ambitious and critically important, especially following updates suggesting that EU 2030 goals may be not be met.

The EU goals recognize the need to incentivize the production of green maritime fuels and to prioritize green fuels access for the maritime sector.

Liner shipping has begun the transformative journey towards decarbonisation, and we look forward to contributing to the EU translation of goals into action.

Read More
EU, Climate & Environment, Security Anna Larsson EU, Climate & Environment, Security Anna Larsson

European Shipping Summit 2023 – together we go further, faster 

Brussels, 21 September – The European Shipping Summit 2023 in Brussels 19-20 September brought together representatives from across the maritime industry, government, finance, as well as energy and technology industries to address some of the most pressing topics for the future of the industry and of Europe. Making the most of this unique platform, the World Shipping Council gathered people and organisations to drive progress on the availability of renewable maritime fuels and the fight against drug trafficking. While the topics are diverse, leaders at both sessions agreed – together we go further, faster.  

Read More
EU, Public Statements, Customs Anna Larsson EU, Public Statements, Customs Anna Larsson

Joint statement on the publication of the UCC from the European Commission's Trade Contact Group

As active members of the European Commission's Trade Contact Group (TCG), we have constantly engaged in a constructive manner to support the full implementation of the Union Customs Code (UCC) and have always recognized its essential role in sustaining compliant, effective and efficient international trade. Therefore, we are poised to work in the closest collaborative partnership with the European Commission, the European Parliament and all EU Member States to deliver a successful implementation of the UCC reform.

Read More
EU, Climate & Environment Anna Larsson EU, Climate & Environment Anna Larsson

FuelEU Maritime can do more to accelerate early action for shipping decarbonisation

Brussels, 9 December 2022 – In an open letter to decision-makers in Brussels, the World Shipping Council (WSC) together with Danish Shipping and the Methanol Institute urge decision-makers to reach an agreement on the FuelEU Maritime which will help reduce shipping GHG emissions.

The liner sector, including container and vehicle carriers, are leading decarbonisation investment in new fleets that are ready for alternative fuels that reduce GHGs. Future-ready fleets will be demanding more and more green fuels with lower GHG intensity to ensure that we meet decarbonisation targets.

Read More
EU, Public Statements Anna Larsson EU, Public Statements Anna Larsson

Ambitious marine fuel standards: Tackling climate change and developing business opportunities

An open letter to the EU Parliament, Commission and Council from Danish Shipping, Methanol Institute, and the World Shipping Council in connection with the FuelEU trilogue negotiations.

Green fuels are essential for the maritime sector to deliver on the EU Green Deal and the Paris Agreement. The technologies for making the green fuels exist, but production capacities must be scaled up to make the fuels available for shipping. FuelEU Maritime can provide the certainty needed to ensure investments in scaling up green fuels, but the ambitions need to be strengthened to send a clear market signal. Danish Shipping, Methanol Institute, and World Shipping Council therefore call for increasing the ambition in the FuelEU, maximising GHG-intensity reduction from 2035 to 2050 and supporting early use of green e-fuels.

Read More
EU, Climate & Environment Anna Larsson EU, Climate & Environment Anna Larsson

Liner shipping is ready for the EU ETS Maritime

Late 29 November 2022, the European Parliament, Council and Commission reached a preliminary agreement on maritime elements of the EU ETS. Including the maritime sector in the EU ETS will encourage shipping’s journey towards decarbonisation as well as accelerate emission reductions among non-maritime sectors. The provisional agreement on shipping is subject to an overall agreement on the ETS revision, later this year or next.

Read More
EU, Public Statements Anna Larsson EU, Public Statements Anna Larsson

Life-cycle-approach: Key to unlocking green investments and climate mitigation

Green fuels are essential for the maritime sector to deliver on the Paris Agreement and the EU Green Deal. The technology for producing and using the new green fuels exists, but their production and distribution needs to be considerably upscaled. To get the necessary investments started today, politicians need to provide certainty on the requirements for the fuels of tomorrow by agreeing on a life-cycle approach in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). An open letter from Danish Shipping, Methanol Institute, Renewable Hydrogen Coalition, Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners, Swedish Shipowners’ Association, and the World Shipping Council.

Read More
EU, Industry Structure, Covid-19 Anna Larsson EU, Industry Structure, Covid-19 Anna Larsson

EU rules for vessel sharing – reducing environmental impact and increasing efficiency for global trade

To serve as many ports and customers as possible, as efficiently as possible, international ocean carriers often share space on vessels. Vessel sharing benefiting the EU is regulated through the Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER), which expires in April 2024 and is now under review by the European Commission’s DG COMP. The World Shipping Council (WSC), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) have submitted their input to the European Commission, calling for a renewal of the CBER and demonstrating how vessel sharing contributes to the EU policy goals of reducing transport emissions, increasing competitiveness and improving efficiency to reduce costs.

Read More
EU, Public Statements Anna Larsson EU, Public Statements Anna Larsson

WSC response to the call for evidence on the reform of the Union’s customs legislation

Taking the Customs Union to the next level as pledged by President Von der Leyen, should equip the EU to better withstand present and future challenges, while protecting its citizens and harnessing the economic opportunities of the 21st century. To do so Europe will continue to rely on its external trade and maritime commerce. The future Customs Union needs to be better configured for that trade to flourish securely. The completion of a genuine Customs Union characterised by the seamless application of its rules across all EU Member States, the operation by default of common EU IT systems and innovative processes remains a key priority.

Read More
EU, Climate & Environment Anna Larsson EU, Climate & Environment Anna Larsson

Momentum to decarbonise shipping urgently needs Parliament’s FuelEU Maritime position

WSC and member liner carriers are highly concerned about Parliament’s delay in finalizing its position on FuelEU Maritime. Liner carriers are committed to decarbonizing the industry as soon as possible and are already investing in alternative fuel technology. Fuel EU Maritime is crucial for EU policymakers to reach their climate goals, and for the progress of shipping decarbonization.

Read More