The SASHA Coalition and ten industry signatories warned that the STIP, part of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal (CID), must not focus solely on transitional fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and LNG, but also support zero-emission technologies through dedicated hydrogen funding, e-fuel incentives, and stronger refuelling infrastructure.

Addressed to the European Commission, the letter states that hydrogen and battery technologies “offer the most sustainable paths for decarbonising short and medium-haul flight and maritime transport.”

It added, “Yet these solutions have not received due regulatory support from the Commission as other technologies have. This policy gap has slowed the development of these technologies and the infrastructure necessary to support them.”

Specifically, they’ve urged policymakers to make zero-emission ships and aircraft a “strategic investment priority,” with binding 2040 targets for a share of EU flights and voyages to run entirely on zero-carbon tech.

Furthermore, the letter also called on the EU to guarantee green hydrogen access for aviation via a dedicated Hydrogen Bank budget and long-term offtake support, while also creating regional testbeds and green public service routes to scale technologies.

It follows earlier calls from the SASHA Coalition for the STIP to include a well-regulated book-and-claim system to de-risk e-kerosene made from green hydrogen.

The coalition has also proposed integrating a contracts for difference (CfD) mechanism for green hydrogen-based e-fuels and expanding the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to maximise available funding for clean transport fuels.

Finally, the letter also emphasised that the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) must be strengthened by mandating hydrogen and electric refuelling infrastructure at ports and airports.

The call came shortly after the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) delayed a pivotal vote on its proposed Net Zero framework by a year after countries clashed over a proposed global carbon price on shipping emissions.

Aurelia Leeuw, Director of EU Policy at the Sasha Coalition, said the delay “only increases the urgency of correcting this oversight.”

She added, “The STIP offers a crucial opportunity for action. A holistic enabling environment with the right incentives and a robust research funding strategy is key to accelerating burgeoning technologies from development to demonstration and commercial deployment.

“If the Commission is serious about innovation, it should listen to its boldest innovators.”

The letter was signed by ten companies and industry groups developing zero-emission shipping and aviation technologies, such as ZeroAvia, EcoJet, LH2 Shipping, Beyond Aero, and the Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association (ZESTAs).