The European Commission has selected 39 projects across the EU to receive a total of €422 million in funding under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), aiming to accelerate the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure across road, maritime, and air transport.
This initiative includes the installation of public electric recharging stations, high-power megawatt chargers for heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles, hydrogen refueling stations, and onshore power supply (OPS) infrastructure for ports. Additionally, the funding will support airport electrification and infrastructure for alternative marine fuels such as ammonia and methanol.
For the maritime sector, this investment is a significant step towards enabling cleaner fuel adoption, aligning with the FuelEU Maritime Regulation. The development of onshore power installations and bunkering facilities for alternative fuels is expected to help ports and shipping companies transition to low-emission operations.
AFIF operates through a rolling call for proposals, ensuring continuous investment in sustainable infrastructure. The current call, which launched on 29 February 2024, has completed its first evaluation round, with the next cut-off set for 11 June 2025. Approximately €578 million in funding remains available for new proposals.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, “The 39 projects we are supporting today will accelerate the deployment of critical recharging and refueling infrastructure needed for our expanding zero-emission fleets. Together, they will add nearly 5,000 new charging points, including 626 megawatt chargers, helping citizens choose zero-emission vehicles and contribute to a cleaner environment.”
The expansion of onshore power supply (OPS) in ports is a crucial component of this funding, enabling vessels to shut down their engines while docked and draw electricity from the grid, significantly reducing emissions and noise pollution. Additionally, the development of infrastructure for alternative marine fuels such as ammonia and methanol is expected to drive the decarbonization of the shipping industry. These fuels, considered viable solutions for reducing maritime greenhouse gas emissions, require dedicated storage, bunkering, and handling facilities, which the AFIF-backed projects aim to establish.
This funding push reflects the EU’s broader objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing European industry competitiveness. The maritime sector, in particular, stands to benefit from increased access to alternative fuels, positioning European ports as key players in the transition to sustainable shipping.