I’d like to share an important initiative I’m working on in the European Parliament, where we’re striving to balance environmental protection with the needs of the maritime industry – an industry that employs thousands across Europe.

There’s no question that we must closely monitor ship emissions, especially as we push for greener, more sustainable practices. The EU is now updating regulations to track ships’ fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, which is a positive step forward.

But as always, the devil is in the details.

The proposed regulations group together various types of ships, even though their operations differ significantly. For example, tugboats, which operate mainly in harbours and handle short-distance tasks, burn relatively less fuel. In contrast, offshore supply vessels travel far out to sea and consume much more.

Despite these differences, the new rules treat both types of vessels the same. This means tugboats, with their relatively minimal emissions, would face the same monitoring and reporting requirements as much larger vessels. The result? Unnecessary administrative burdens for small operators.

These seemingly small details can have a big impact, particularly on Maltese businesses, many of which are SMEs. I’m committed to ensuring their voices are heard and that these concerns are addressed.

What we need are smart, tailored regulations—ones that protect the environment without overburdening smaller operators. It’s about achieving a balance: supporting sustainability while maintaining competitiveness in key industries.

EU legislation, though well-intentioned, can sometimes be overly complex and bureaucratic. That’s why paying attention to the finer points is crucial—getting them wrong could hurt businesses and jobs across Europe.

Below is a letter I’ve written to the Director of DG CLIMA, outlining these concerns.
Letter to Honourable Director Yordi