How will the EU’s ETS affect the dredging industry?

Whilst the first phase of the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) has begun for the shipping sector (as of the start of this year), it’s still unclear whether dredging vessels will be required to also comply in 2027, when the offshore sector is to be reviewed and evaluated.

At the current time, there is no clarification as to what “offshore” may comprise and whether it will include dredging vessels, but it’s certainly not a time to rest on our laurels, because it may not be definite; but why would it not be included? By 2026 the European Commission will review whether general cargo and offshore ships between 400 and 5000 GT will also be included in the ETS, which means if dredgers are included in the offshore category, it will include many WIDs, as well as TSHDs. This would significantly increase the cost of dredging in the EU and surrounding countries where the dredging supplier is EU based.

The DNV (independent experts in assurance and risk management, and a recognised advisor for the maritime industry) has calculated that the EU’s ETS will cost the shipping industry an additional ￡10bn per year by 2026, but how much will it cost the dredging industry?

Whilst the next four years (2024-2027), may be the dredging industry’s grace period, it is no time to be complacent. The dredging community will likely encounter greater financial challenges on its journey to net zero, and the EU’s ETS will be another hurdle for those in the UK and EU to navigate.

This is where innovations such as Tiamat, a cutting-edge hydro-dynamic agitation dredging solution, stands out by integrating with compliant work boats. Thanks to its adaptability and scalability, Tiamat can be deployed or retrofitted on small vessels, that are less than 400 gross tonnes, so dredging with the Tiamat would not be impacted by the ETS.

Without compromising on productivity, Tiamat is a more sustainable method of maintenance dredging that ‘dredges with nature’ by utilising the power of the tide and currents. Recent trials and comparisons with traditional dredging methods have revealed that Tiamat significantly reduces GHG emissions by approximately two-thirds of those associated with a comparable TSHD campaign.

At Harwich Haven Authority, the organisation is already reaping the rewards of Tiamat. Typically, it contracts five TSHD campaigns, removing approximately 2 – 2.5 million m3 of silt from the harbour each year. In 2024, the plan is to reduce to only three TSHD campaigns, alongside three Tiamat campaigns, reducing costs by two-thirds and GHGs from maintenance dredging by up to 35%.

Whether the EU brings the dredging sector into its ETS remains to be seen, but there are ways to align with the global drive towards a net-zero carbon economy with solutions such as Tiamat.

To find out more about Tiamat and the latest news from Haven Dredging, please visit: www.havendredging.com.?