Europe’s aviation and shipping industries have joined forces to call for a stronger Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP). Their message to the European Commission is clear: clean fuels must become affordable, available, and produced in Europe to secure the continent’s transport future.
Airlines for Europe (A4E) and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) are urging the European Commission and national governments to adopt an ambitious Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) that ensures the availability and affordability of clean fuels for both the aviation and maritime sectors.
The joint statement comes ahead of the official publication of the STIP, which is expected to outline Europe’s funding priorities for decarbonising transport. The two industries, among the hardest to decarbonise, say the plan must deliver “bold action” to expand clean fuel production and reduce costs for operators.
“The STIP must be ambitious and must set out firm commitments and concrete actions to make clean fuels available for European shipowners and airlines,” the statement said. Both groups call for EU and national Emissions Trading System (ETS) revenues to be reinvested directly into decarbonisation projects and for greater access to the EU Innovation Fund to support clean energy technologies.
A4E and ECSA also want the EU to prioritise aviation and maritime sectors when allocating clean fuel supplies, arguing that Europe must scale production to bridge the price gap with conventional fuels.
“Shipping and aviation are essential to Europe’s competitiveness, connectivity, and energy security,” the statement added. “Accelerating the availability of affordable clean fuels for our sectors is essential to maintain this global competitive edge.”
The call highlights growing concern that, without targeted support, Europe could fall behind in meeting its net-zero goals for transport. Both organisations stress that investment in fuel infrastructure is not just an environmental commitment, but an economic necessity.
With the upcoming STIP expected to guide how EU climate funding is spent, A4E and ECSA are pushing for concrete steps that ensure Europe leads the transition to cleaner skies and seas, rather than importing its solutions from elsewhere.
