The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has delivered a petition with more than 258,000 signatures to the European Commission, calling for mandatory speed limits for commercial vessels in EU waters. Advocates say slower speeds would significantly reduce underwater noise, protect whales and dolphins from ship strikes, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Why speed matters

Fast-moving ships generate intense underwater noise that disrupts communication, navigation, and feeding in whales and other marine life. The EU’s own monitoring shows that 97% of its waters fail to meet environmental standards, with underwater noise a key factor. Lower speeds not only reduce noise by up to 40% but also cut the risk of whale collisions in half.

Proposed solution

IFAW’s “Blue Speeds” initiative calls for a global 10% reduction in average ship speeds. Such a change could cut greenhouse gas emissions by around 13%, and reduce fuel consumption—benefiting both the environment and shipping companies.

The proposal for mandatory speed limits aligns with the Commission's preparation to revise the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) as part of the Ocean Pact. 

Political feasibility

The petition arrives as the EU reviews its Marine Strategy Framework Directive. While the Commission has set binding limits for underwater noise, concrete rules for implementation are still lacking. Environmental NGOs argue that speed reductions are a straightforward solution, but political adoption faces obstacles. Member States are divided on imposing binding maritime regulations, and the shipping industry has historically resisted mandatory speed caps. However, with climate measures such as the FuelEU Maritime regulation already in place, advocates suggest speed management could be reframed as a compliance tool rather than an additional burden.