European Maritime Industrial Strategy: putting competitiveness at the heart of Europe's maritime future

The adoption of the European Maritime Industrial Strategy marks an important milestone in recognising the strategic role of Europe's maritime sector. As Rapporteur for the EESC Opinion on the Strategy, I am pleased that the EESC adopted a strong and balanced position which places competitiveness alongside decarbonisation, innovation and resilience. 

Europe's maritime ecosystem, which encompasses shipping, maritime manufacturing, ports and the wider waterborne value chain, is a strategic pillar of the Union's economy, security and resilience. Shipping carries around 90% of global trade, making it indispensable for Europe's energy and food security, industrial supply chains and economic prosperity. These sectors are deeply interconnected: a globally competitive shipping industry creates demand for a strong European maritime manufacturing base, while an innovative industrial base reinforces Europe's leadership in shipping. 

The Opinion underlines that European shipping, which represents around 35% of the global fleet and carries approximately 75% of the EU's external trade, must remain globally competitive. As shipping operates in an international market, European policies should preserve open markets, ensure fair competition and avoid measures that could undermine the sector's competitiveness. International alignment, particularly through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), remains essential to delivering effective decarbonisation while maintaining a global level playing field. 

The energy transition of the sector will only succeed if the necessary enabling conditions are in place. We therefore call for the availability of safe, sustainable, affordable and scalable alternative marine fuels across European ports and encourage the Commission to engage fuel suppliers in this exercise. Furthermore, revenues generated from shipping under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime should be reinvested into the maritime sector to support clean technologies, alternative fuels, innovation, skills and fleet renewal. Existing funding instruments have not sufficiently addressed the specific characteristics of shipping and the maritime industry, making a dedicated and fit-for-purpose financing mechanism necessary. 

The Opinion also highlights the importance of facilitating access to finance, strengthening Europe's maritime industrial base, supporting research and innovation, investing in skills, and promoting social dialogue. At the same time, it welcomes the establishment of an EU Industrial Maritime Value Chains Alliance to bring together industry, shipowners, workers and public authorities in shaping Europe's maritime future.

Europe's maritime sector is indispensable for the continent's prosperity, security and strategic autonomy. The challenge ahead is not to choose between competitiveness and sustainability, but to deliver both. This Opinion identifies the concrete actions needed to achieve that objective by strengthening Europe's entire maritime ecosystem through investment, innovation, international regulatory alignment and a globally competitive policy framework.

By Stelios Nerantzakis, EESC Employers' Group member and Rapporteur of Opinion CCMI/258 EU Industrial Maritime Strategy.