In a long-awaited move, the European Commission has started preparations for an EU Ports Strategy and EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and is inviting stakeholders to participate in the process.
On July 1, 2025, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, hosted two high-level strategic dialogues in Brussels. The meetings brought together representatives from port, shipbuilding, shipping, inland waterway, and related industries to help define priorities, opportunities, and actions to develop the EU ports and industrial maritime strategies.
Ports are crucial gateways for trade, logistics, energy, and military mobility, and must be equipped to support Europe’s future economic and strategic needs. The EU Ports Strategy will focus on security, energy transition, and sustainability to enhance the long-term competitiveness of ports.
Simultaneously, Europe’s shipbuilding, maritime manufacturing, and shipping sectors face increasing global competition and security risks. The EU Industrial Maritime Strategy aims to bolster the sector’s competitiveness and resilience while driving its green and digital transition.
“With our upcoming EU Ports and Industrial Maritime Strategies, we aim to ensure that Europe’s ports and waterborne industries are equipped to lead the clean and digital energy transition, support defence and trade, and remain globally competitive,” Tzitzikostas commented.
“Broad stakeholder input is essential – we are committed to listening to the sector’s needs and ambitions to help shape a future-ready Europe.”
“As part of our industrial recovery plan, the Commission is committed to supporting sectors where Europe leads globally. The maritime industry and our ports are vital for Europe’s sovereignty. Our priority is to strengthen their competitiveness while driving their decarbonisation. Today’s dialogue is the first step towards a renewed ambition for our European maritime leadership,” Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, said.
The commission has also opened calls for evidence for both the EU Ports and EU Industrial Maritime Strategies, inviting stakeholders to share their views until July 28, 2025.
In September last year, the commission announced the decision to create an industrial maritime strategy to enhance “the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of Europe’s maritime manufacturing sector”. The development of the new industrial maritime strategy and port strategy align with the European Green Deal, supporting the green and digital transition of the waterborne sector.
A study by the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) revealed that European port managing bodies require €80 billion in investments over the next 10 years until 2034. Sustainability and energy transition investments are becoming increasingly crucial for port authorities. The EU’s new strategy aims to support port managing bodies in implementing essential projects.
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