EU Policy

EU recommendation
The European Commission has been studying the effects of use of onshore power. Based on this work, the European Commission has issued a recommendation stating that:

"Member States should consider the installation of shore-side electricity for use by ships at berth in ports; particularly in ports where air quality limit values are exceeded or where public concern is expressed about high levels of noise nuisance, and especially in berths situated near residential areas"

Furthermore, the EU has called for the development of harmonized international standards for shore-side electrical connections, taking into account ongoing work by the IEC /ISO working group.

The European Commission also invites Member States to consider offering economic incentives to operators to use shore-side electricity provided to ships, taking advantage of the possibilities set out in Community legislation.

Energy tax reduction
In 2007 the Commission presented a Communication on an Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union. In this paper the Commission announced that it would develop proposals to reduce the levels of air pollution from ships in ports, by removing the tax disadvantages for shoreside power. As part of the revision of the Energy Tax Directive (2003/96), exemption from energy taxes for onshore power is now under discussion. At present, countries have different energy taxes.

0.1 % S fuel at berth mandatory
Under EU Directive 2005/33 the use of 0.1 % sulphur by weight for marine fuels used by ships at berth in Community ports became mandatory as of 1 January, 2010. The Directive allows OPS as an alternative.