The recent adoption by the European Commission of two complementary strategies - the EU Ports Strategy and the Industrial Maritime Strategy - marks a decisive step toward reinforcing Europe’s maritime competitiveness, with particular relevance for the Atlantic Region.
These strategies set out a shared vision to safeguard and strengthen ports, shipping, and shipbuilding across the EU. They emphasise the mobilisation of public demand and funding as catalysts for private investment, particularly in innovation, digitalisation, and the modernisation of shipbuilding capacities. A central priority is the renewal and decarbonisation of the European fleet, supported by the planned revision of public procurement directives, which will introduce targeted non-price criteria to favour sustainability and technological advancement.
Equally important is the focus on people. The strategies include measures to enhance skills development, training, and quality employment throughout the maritime sector. This includes re-skilling and up-skilling shipbuilding workers and seafarers, enabling them to adapt to emerging technologies and adopt greener operational practices.
Positioned as flagship initiatives under the EU Competitiveness Compass and the European Ocean Pact, these strategies align closely with the objectives of Interreg Atlantic Area programmes, offering new opportunities for transnational cooperation, innovation uptake, and sustainable blue growth across Atlantic regions.
These strategies set out a shared vision to safeguard and strengthen ports, shipping, and shipbuilding across the EU. They emphasise the mobilisation of public demand and funding as catalysts for private investment, particularly in innovation, digitalisation, and the modernisation of shipbuilding capacities. A central priority is the renewal and decarbonisation of the European fleet, supported by the planned revision of public procurement directives, which will introduce targeted non-price criteria to favour sustainability and technological advancement.
Equally important is the focus on people. The strategies include measures to enhance skills development, training, and quality employment throughout the maritime sector. This includes re-skilling and up-skilling shipbuilding workers and seafarers, enabling them to adapt to emerging technologies and adopt greener operational practices.
Positioned as flagship initiatives under the EU Competitiveness Compass and the European Ocean Pact, these strategies align closely with the objectives of Interreg Atlantic Area programmes, offering new opportunities for transnational cooperation, innovation uptake, and sustainable blue growth across Atlantic regions.
Publish date: 2026-04-23
