The European Commission has introduced two new strategies aimed at strengthening the competitiveness, sustainability, and security of the EU’s maritime sector. The EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and the Ports Strategy target improvements in ports, shipping, and shipbuilding across Europe.
Europe holds the world’s largest collective maritime area and is recognized for its leadership in advanced shipbuilding and maritime services. The continent’s shipping sector accounts for over a third of global shipping tonnage.
The Industrial Maritime Strategy will establish an EU Industrial Maritime Value Chains Alliance to promote high-tech shipbuilding, offshore wind support vessels, underwater drones, and advanced port equipment. It also includes a ‘Shipyards of the Future’ research initiative under Horizon Europe to test innovative solutions in real-world environments with the aim of scaling successful technologies throughout Europe.
To enhance competitive shipping, the Commission plans to work with Member States to encourage the use of EU flags and simplify administrative procedures. This includes streamlining monitoring, reporting, and verification frameworks related to emissions trading (EU ETS Maritime) and sustainable fuels (FuelEU Maritime).
Public demand and funding will be used to stimulate private investment in innovation and digitalization within shipbuilding. The strategy also supports fleet renewal and decarbonization by considering targeted non-price criteria during future reviews of public procurement directives.
Measures are included to ensure fair competition for EU shipyards through stronger export financing tools and trade policies tailored to the sector. The strategy acknowledges the dual-use nature of maritime industries by integrating military considerations such as expanding naval production capacity and supporting dual-use ferry construction.
The plan also addresses workforce needs by enhancing skills development, training programs, and re-skilling opportunities for workers adapting to new technologies or green practices.
Ports handle approximately 74% of Europe’s external trade—more than 3.4 billion tonnes of goods—and nearly 395 million passengers annually. They are increasingly serving as centers for industrial innovation while playing critical roles in energy supply, security, defense, and blue economy activities.
To maintain their competitive edge, the Ports Strategy promotes innovation, digitalization, integration with other transport systems, guidance on foreign ownership issues, and criteria for EU investments in ports outside Europe. Efforts toward clean energy transition include promoting electrification at ports and improving grid connections. A roadmap will be developed specifically for small- and medium-sized ports.
Security measures are also central to the strategy due to ports’ vulnerability as entry points into Europe. Building on existing alliances like the EU Ports Alliance, new steps will be taken to strengthen legislation against drug trafficking and emerging threats while improving supply chain security. Frameworks will be proposed for background checks on port workers as well as assessments of third-country ports. A forum will facilitate sharing best practices among cybersecurity authorities; an EU-wide risk assessment is planned to identify major cybersecurity risks.
Implementation oversight will come from a high-level Maritime Industries and Ports Board chaired by relevant Commissioners.
According to the Commission: “The Strategies were announced as key initiatives in Commissioner Tzitzikostas’ Mission Letter and as flagship actions within the EU Competitiveness Compass and the European Ocean Pact.” Stakeholder dialogues held throughout 2025 contributed input from industry leaders on both general strategy direction and specific concerns around port security.
For further details about these strategies or related materials—including factsheets or Q&A documents—interested parties can contact spokespersons Anna-Kaisa Itkonen (+32 2 29 57501), Siobhan McGarry (+32 2 29 64798), press officer Anni Juusola (+32 2 29 60 986), or Rüya Perincek (+32 2 29 94903).