The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation for Shipping

The European Union’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) is under review as part of efforts to future-proof ports and reduce the maritime sector’s environmental impact. Shipping currently contributes around 3% of the EU’s total CO2 emissions, with an estimated 145.2 million tonnes emitted in 2024. Projections suggest that maritime emissions could account for up to one-third of all transport emissions by 2050, highlighting the urgency of addressing this sector’s carbon footprint. Notably, emissions within ports themselves, which include significant quantities of sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), pose serious risks to air quality and public health. The AFIR mandates that European ports must provide shoreside electricity to certain vessels by 2030 and ensure the availability of alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure across European waters. However, critics argue that the current regulation falls short of enabling complete decarbonisation. The electrification requirement applies only to a subset of ships, while the alternative fuel mandate primarily focuses on fossil gas infrastructure rather than fully renewable options. This limited scope has prompted calls for a more ambitious regulatory framework that can comprehensively reduce in-port emissions and support the transition to cleaner energy sources. Transport & Environment (T&E), a leading environmental advocacy group, has welcomed the European Commission’s call for evidence and its commitment to accelerating the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. T&E emphasises that the ongoing review represents a critical opportunity to align port policies with broader climate goals and the EU’s Port Strategy. Strengthening the regulation could position ports as vital green energy hubs, improving air quality and protecting the health of local communities and port workers. Beyond environmental benefits, a more robust AFIR could also enhance seafarers’ working conditions and bolster Europe’s energy security amid global uncertainties. The development of electrification and clean fuel technologies in ports is seen as essential not only for reducing emissions but also for fostering innovation and resilience within the maritime sector. As the EU moves forward with this regulatory review, stakeholders are calling for clear, comprehensive measures that ensure ports play a central role in the continent’s transition to sustainable shipping.