The European Commission has adopted a communication on an Industrial Maritime Strategy, aiming to drive competitiveness, innovation and technological leadership in Europe’s maritime manufacturing and shipping industries.
In the face of intensifying global competition and growing dependencies on third-country ship production, the Strategy introduces measures to strengthen these critical industries, structured around three main pillars.
The European Commission’s strategy communication proposes three pillars of action to strengthen EU shipping and shipbuilding:
- ‘Build, Equip and Repair’ focuses on reinforcing Europe’s maritime manufacturing capabilities and technological leadership to leverage the waterborne single market.
- This pillar includes actions designed to foster EU industrial sovereignty and create synergies across the maritime value chain. To this end, the Commission will launch an EU Industrial Maritime Value Chain Alliance. It also aims to accelerate the digital and circular transformation of European shipyards, maximise public demand and funding and improve the global level playing field for the EU industry.
- ‘Transport and Connect’ includes measures to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability and connectivity of maritime transport.
- It covers measures to simplify reporting and administrative procedures for shipping, support green and digital transition, promote quality shipping, and enhance agility and proactive stance in international relations. The Commission will, together with Member States, reinforce EU engagement at IMO on global maritime standards, to help achieve a level playing field. The Strategy also announces the continued use of current state aid guidelines for maritime transport to retain today’s market shares and encourage vessels to choose EU flags in the face of intense global competition.
- The third pillar, ‘Secure and Protect’ seeks to bolster Europe’s naval, underwater, dual-use and military mobility capabilities to step up security and resilience.
- It mobilises various instruments to support the naval production capacity, strengthen EU-level maritime domain awareness, and pursue a dual-use ferry construction support mechanism with enhanced military specifications.
These pillars are supported by horizontal initiatives, including research and innovation, finance and skills development.
To ensure effective implementation, the Commission will establish a high-level Maritime Industries and Ports Board, chaired by the responsible Commissioner and EVPs.
The Jean Monnet Chair – EPP will contribute to the forthcoming dialogue and its content through a number of initiatives – stay tuned!!
The Full Communication is available here: EU Industrial Maritime Strategy