Spanish Ports Warn EU Emissions Rules Could Shift Container Traffic to Morocco

Rodríguez Dapena indicated that his department is already working with the three most affected ports in the country (Algeciras, Valencia and Barcelona) and with other EU countries to address the possible negative consequences of the community system to be put in place to control and reduce CO₂ emissions from maritime transport, reports Europa Sur.

To read: Algeciras Port Strike Threatens to Shift Traffic to Rival Tanger Med

According to the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras, the port of the city risks losing 60% of container loading operations in favor of Tanger-Med if this measure were to be applied as it stands. "We must prevent traffic leaks to ports that do not have these environmental obligations," said Rodríguez Dapena, alluding to Tanger-Med. Such a measure would jeopardize some 1,600 direct jobs and 4,200 indirect jobs at the port of Algeciras, which would also see its turnover drop to 300 million euros per year.

To read: Tanger Med Port Surges in Global Rankings with 35% Container Growth

CO₂ emissions from maritime transport would not cease despite this measure, points out Rodriguez Dapena who says he "shares the concern of the ports." "We have been working on Fit for 55 for some time. The European authorities launched it to be the first in the class, to act directly in the face of the climate emergency, but it is still ongoing. A number of regulations were developed in the second half of 2021, under the Slovenian presidency; and now, with the French presidency, they will be adopted," he said.