The uniform application of FuelEU Maritime to all commercial ships above 5,000GT calling at EU Ports is of critical relevance for the promotion of a level playing field amongst stakeholders in the maritime value chain, including shipping companies, competent authorities, verifiers, accreditation companies, port authorities, equipment manufacturers, fuel suppliers, and bunkering operators, amongst others.

Even if the present Q&A was drafted by the services of the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission it reflects questions and feedback received from the members of the European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF) – the European Commission’s main expert group within the field of alternative fuels infrastructure – and other key maritime stakeholders.

However, the Q&A does not commit the European Commission. Moreover, it can in no way alter the legal effects of FuelEU Maritime and is without prejudice to the prerogatives of the European Court of Justice, which alone is empowered by the Treaties to interpret Union legislation with binding effect.