Cruise ships operating on routes between Madeira and other European Union outermost regions will now benefit from the derogation provided for under the FuelEU Maritime Regulation (EU) 2023/1805, following Portugal’s official implementation published by the European Commission.
The derogation, officially published in the Official Journal of the European Union at the end of June, applies retroactively from 1 January 2026 and will remain in force until the end of 2029. It is the result of the efforts led by APRAM – Ports of Madeira, under the Regional Secretariat for Economy, in close cooperation with Portugal’s Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM).
“The approval of this derogation is the outcome of extensive technical and institutional work carried out by APRAM, in close collaboration with DGRM, with both the Portuguese authorities and the European institutions,” said Paula Cabaço, Chairwoman of APRAM.
“We were able to demonstrate that the specific characteristics of the EU’s outermost regions require a differentiated approach, ensuring that the energy transition does not undermine the competitiveness of our ports or the continuity of essential maritime connections.”
The derogation significantly reduces the compliance costs for shipping companies operating on the affected routes under the FuelEU Maritime Regulation. At the same time, these services also benefit from the specific provisions established under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), helping to safeguard the competitiveness of outermost region ports throughout the energy transition. Under the EU ETS, shipping companies are required to purchase emissions allowances corresponding to the greenhouse gas emissions generated by their vessels.
As a result of this derogation, cruise voyages between ports in Madeira and other EU outermost regions are exempt from the FuelEU Maritime requirements concerning the energy used during those voyages and while ships are berthed in the ports covered by the measure.
“This is an important achievement that strengthens Madeira’s competitiveness as a cruise destination, while also benefiting the Azores, since the derogation covers Portugal’s two outermost regions,” Paula Cabaço added. “It clearly demonstrates how the technical work carried out by APRAM, together with DGRM and the Portuguese and European authorities, can deliver practical solutions with tangible benefits for the maritime and port sector.”
