Förändringsvindar: En fallstudie av hur EU:s utsläppshandelssystem formar investeringar hos svenska rederier

Abstract

On January 1st 2024 the maritime industry was introduced to the European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS). The maritime and its shipping companies are now facing a significant change in the way of operating as there is now a price on something that previously was free of charge. With a price tag on carbon emission, the shipping companies will be in need of adjusting their investment strategies in order to stay competitive on the market. This thesis aims to investigate the implications of the EU ETS incorporation of the maritime industry and how it will affect the shipping companies investment strategies in the long term and short term. The thesis research question were studied through a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with representatives from two shipping organizations with a strong connection to each other. The data collected from the interviews were analyzed through the theoretical models of this study. The result shows that there are actions that have been implemented before the ETS, that will be used as a short term strategy. Meanwhile, the long term strategies will be depending on the fundings from EU and other institutes in order to facilitate new technologies that provide carbon free operations. The conclusion of this thesis is that the shipping companies investment strategies will have to change. In order to be competitive in the long run, investments in new technology are necessary. Financial support from EU and other institutions to the maritime sector is also of great importance in order to reach the goal of carbon neutrality.