EU Launches Strategic Dialogues To Shape Future Ports And Maritime Industry Policies

The European Commission has initiated the development of a comprehensive EU Ports Strategy and EU Industrial Maritime Strategy, inviting broad stakeholder participation to ensure Europe’s maritime sector remains competitive, resilient, and aligned with its green and digital goals.

High-Level Dialogues to Guide Strategic Priorities

Two high-level Strategic Dialogues are being hosted in Brussels by Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, with participation from top figures in the port, shipping, shipbuilding, and inland waterways sectors. These dialogues are aimed at defining priorities and actions for the forthcoming strategies.
Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné is also participating in the dialogue on industrial maritime policy.

Goals of the EU Ports Strategy

The EU Ports Strategy will focus on ensuring that European ports can:

• Support long-term trade, logistics, energy needs, and military mobility

• Contribute to the clean energy transition

• Enhance security, digitalization, and sustainability
  This strategy recognizes ports as critical nodes for Europe’s economic and geopolitical security.

Addressing Industrial Maritime Sector Challenges

Amidst increasing global competition and security challenges, the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy will:

• Strengthen Europe’s shipbuilding and maritime equipment sectors

• Support resilience and green innovation

• Advance digital transformation across the maritime industry

According to Commissioner Tzitzikostas, the goal is to empower the maritime sector to lead in clean energy, trade, and defense while staying globally competitive.

Building a Future-Ready Europe Through Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder participation is central to the Commission’s approach. By engaging directly with industry leaders, the EU seeks to build strategies that reflect the needs, ambitions, and innovations of those on the frontlines of maritime transformation.

Executive VP Séjourné highlighted that the maritime sector is key to Europe’s industrial recovery and sovereignty, and today’s discussions mark the first step in strengthening European maritime leadership.

As the EU embarks on building future-ready maritime policies, the dual strategies for ports and the industrial maritime sector are poised to play a vital role in ensuring sustainability, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy for Europe’s blue economy.