EU Commission replies to NWWAC on fisheries energy transition, addressing fleet renewal, state aid, taxation, funding, and CFP review
Commission Rejects NWWAC Demands on Fleet Renewal and Fuel Tax Exemptions
The European Commission has dismissed key recommendations from the North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) on the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP), leaving sharp disagreements over fleet renewal, state aid rules, and marine fuel taxation.
NWWAC Push for New Vessel Support
In its June 2025 submission, NWWAC argued that vessel age is “a major limiting factor to adopting new technologies” and warned that “fleet renewal is essential to meet decarbonisation objectives.” It said current restrictions on public funding for new vessels block innovation and prevent generational renewal across EU fleets.
The Advisory Council also demanded that fishing fleets be exempted from the proposed Energy Taxation Directive, cautioning that “taxing marine fuel would significantly undermine the competitiveness of EU fleets vis-à-vis third-country operators.”
Commission Holds Line on State Aid Ban
In its September 2025 reply, the Commission flatly rejected the call to lift restrictions on new vessel subsidies. It said: “State aid rules allow public support for modernisation but not for the construction of new fishing vessels. Capacity ceilings remain necessary under the Common Fisheries Policy to prevent overfishing.”
Instead, it pointed to innovation pilots already underway. “The HY2FISH project (€2.2 million) and the €23.3 million innovation call demonstrate that EU funding is available to support research and demonstration vessels,” the Commission said, while stressing that full fleet replacement must be financed by private capital.
Fuel Taxation Dispute
The Council’s advice insisted that fishing should be spared fuel levies. “Exempting fisheries from fuel taxation is necessary to safeguard the viability of coastal and small-scale fleets,” NWWAC wrote.
The Commission refused. “The revised Energy Taxation Directive already foresees lower minimum rates for fisheries than for other transport sectors,” its reply stated. It added that “a complete exemption for marine diesel would not be compatible with WTO commitments.” However, it highlighted exemptions for alternative fuels and electricity as transition incentives.
Funding and Regional Concerns
NWWAC also stressed that “support must reflect regional realities,” warning that one-size-fits-all approaches risk failure. The Commission responded that Member States retain discretion under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and future European Competitiveness Fund: “It is up to Member States to prioritise allocations within their National and Regional Partnership Plans.”
It promised further engagement, noting that “the ETP workshops and consultations will ensure regional input is taken into account,” including at the 2026 European Maritime Day.
CFP Evaluation and Next Steps
The Commission confirmed that the ongoing evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy will cover fleet policy, generational renewal and emissions. “The outcome, expected in spring 2026, will feed into the final ETP roadmap,” it said, with a high-level conference planned for February 2026 in Brussels.
Despite these assurances, the Commission gave no ground on the two pillars of NWWAC’s advice: the call for public subsidies for new vessels and full exemption from fuel taxes. The divide underlines that the most politically sensitive aspects of the transition remain unresolved.
