In a decisive move to secure Europe’s technological sovereignty and lead the global green transition, the European Commission has officially launched its first-ever EU Industrial Maritime Strategy.
Announced alongside a new EU Ports Strategy, this initiative marks a pivotal shift in European transport policy. The strategy aims to revitalise the EU’s waterborne sector, focusing on shipbuilding, maritime manufacturing, and high-tech shipping, to ensure it remains competitive, sustainable, and resilient in an increasingly volatile global landscape.
A Three-Pillar Vision for Maritime Leadership
As the world’s largest collective maritime area, Europe currently leads in high-end shipbuilding and specialised maritime equipment. However, rising competition from Asia and the urgent need for decarbonisation have necessitated a more assertive industrial approach. The new strategy is structured around three core pillars:
- Build, Equip, and Repair: To bolster industrial sovereignty, the Commission will launch the EU Industrial Maritime Value Chain Alliance. This alliance will map industrial capacities and support the digital and circular transformation of shipyards, aiming to supply or retrofit up to 10,000 sustainable vessels by 2035.
- Transport and Connect: This pillar focuses on simplifying administrative procedures and promoting EU-flagged vessels. It includes measures to accelerate the deployment of shore-side electricity and alternative fuels infrastructure, ensuring seamless multimodal connectivity.
- Secure and Protect: Recognising the "dual-use" nature of maritime assets, the strategy introduces a support mechanism for dual-use ferry construction and ramps up naval industrial production to enhance Europe’s defence and maritime domain awareness.
ERTICO’s Role: Digital Innovation and Multimodality
For the ERTICO Partnership, this strategy represents a significant opportunity to scale Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) from the road to the sea. The Commission’s focus on digitalisation, AI-powered maritime management, and autonomous technologies aligns directly with ERTICO’s Vision 2035.
Key areas where the ERTICO network is set to contribute include:
- Smart Port Platforms: Integrating ports into wider data spaces to optimize freight corridors.
- Green Shipping Lanes: Leveraging real-time data to support the "FuelEU Maritime" targets and zero-emission goals.
- Cybersecurity & Resilience: Protecting critical underwater and port infrastructure through standardised EU-wide risk assessments.
Next Steps
The Commission is already preparing a "Shipyards of the Future" flagship call under Horizon Europe to test advanced robotics and AI in real-world environments. Furthermore, a new High-Level Maritime Industries and Ports Board will be established to oversee the strategy’s implementation, ensuring that innovation moves rapidly from the lab to the market.
As we look toward the 17th ITS European Congress in Istanbul this April, the Industrial Maritime Strategy will undoubtedly take centre stage, highlighting how intelligent systems are redefining the boundaries of European mobility.
Sources:
European Commission (March 4, 2026): Communication on the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy (COM(2026) 112). https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/commission-launches-industrial-maritime-strategy-competitive-sustainable-and-resilient-eu-maritime-2026-03-04_en
European Commission (March 19, 2026): Press Release - "Commission launches EU Industrial Maritime and Ports Strategies to boost competitiveness." https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_484
EU Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE): Technical Factsheets on Shipbuilding and Port Electrification. https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/maritime/eu-ports-and-industrial-maritime-strategies_en
ERTICO – ITS Europe (2026): CEO New Year Message https://www.ertico.com/welcoming-2026-message-from-the-ertico-ceo
ERTICO – ITS Europe (2026): Building Europe’s integrated mobility: Insights from a ERTICO’s two-day Partnership dialogue https://ertico.com/building-europes-integrated-mobility-insights-from-a-erticos-two-day-partnership-dialogue