04 Mar 2026
Commission launches EU Industrial Maritime and Ports Strategies
The European Commission has unveiled a new EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and an EU Ports Strategy, aiming at boosting jobs, innovation and the EU's global leadership in shipbuilding and shipping.
A key research element is the 'Shipyards of the Future' flagship under Horizon Europe which will fund the testing of advanced technologies in real shipyard environments, including high-tech shipbuilding, offshore wind support vessels, underwater drones and innovative port equipment. An EU Industrial Maritime Value Chains Alliance will be established to further align industry and research priorities, creating new opportunities for collaborative R&I projects and technology roadmapping.
With these strategies, the Commission wants to leverage public procurement and regulatory frameworks to accelerate uptake of green and digital innovations, particularly for fleet decarbonisation and digital monitoring, reporting and verification. Ports are positioned as innovation hubs and living labs for clean energy systems, electrification, smart grids and integrated transport networks, as well as for cybersecurity and supply chain security research.
Across both strategies, strong attention is given to skills, training and re-skilling, underlining the human factor in technological change. A new high-level Maritime Industries and Ports Board will coordinate implementation and help align future EU research agendas with the sector’s strategic needs.