News October 3, 2025 Proposed EU Crewing and E-tools: quick fixes at the expense of workers On 30 September 2025, ETF joined the 11th Meeting of the European Commission’s Expert Group on Social Issues in Inland Navigation. Inland navigation may be smaller in size compared to other transport modes, but it carries great potential for the modal shift and for building a climate-friendly transport system. None of this, however, will be possible without the people who keep the sector running.
News June 24, 2025 ETF welcomes European Ocean Pact, calls for stronger social justice and worker representation in ocean governance The ETF welcomes the European Commission’s launch of the European Ocean Pact, recognising the initiative as an important step toward a sustainable, inclusive, and fair blue economy. Representing over five million transport workers across Europe, including in fisheries, maritime transport, and ports, the ETF strongly supports the Pact’s environmental ambitions, but insists that the people who work on the ocean must be at the heart of the transition.
News April 24, 2025 ETF’s First Response to IMO’s Climate Agreement: What Net-Zero Means for Maritime and Ports In April 2025, the IMO adopted a global carbon pricing mechanism for shipping, to take effect in 2028, with a $100-per-tonne levy on CO₂ emissions above targets. Aimed at achieving net-zero by 2050, the agreement also highlights the critical role of seafarers. Meanwhile, the EU has already implemented a more advanced system: maritime transport has been included in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) since January 2024, with full coverage by 2026.