Catalonia will implement a port emissions tax for 80% of the ships that dock at the Port of Barcelona, excluding those ships going to the Balearic Islands, those docking due to force majeure, and those docking for humanitarian reasons.
It is estimated that cruise ships will have to pay an average of €1,440. The intention is for this to serve as an incentive for large vessels exceeding 5,000 dirty tonnage to reduce emissions and prevent pollution, without harming economic activity, according to Regional Minister David Mascort.
The Balearic Government has announced that there will be discounts for vessels with a verifiable energy efficiency certificate or a certificate of registration under the European Union's environmental management and audit system. There will also be reductions in the base fee for connecting to the port's electrical grid and for powering all ship services with electricity supplied by an internal battery. Finally, discounts will be offered for port calls made by service providers originating from and destined for Palma, Ibiza, or Maó, which are considered public service vessels.
The regional minister intends for the law to be approved by the end of the year and come into force by 2024, as it is four years overdue, having been included in the 2017 climate change law. David Mascort stated that the criteria will be reviewed in three years and “if there is no positive evolution, we will have to increase the quota.”
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