European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, in a video message to the German National Maritime Conference on April 30, outlined the European Commission's new Industrial Maritime Strategy and Ports Strategy, adopted in early March, as a response to geopolitical tensions, the energy transition, and rising global competition. The speech, delivered amid the prolonged Strait of Hormuz blockade, framed the maritime sector as central to Europe's strategic autonomy and economic security.
Tzitzikostas called for an immediate return to freedom of navigation but stressed that the oceans are no longer an open, frictionless marketplace. The strategies aim to safeguard and boost maritime manufacturing and shipping, accelerate innovation and decarbonisation, and turn ports into competitive global trade hubs and resilient critical infrastructure. He described shipyards, ports, and shipping as "instruments of sovereignty."
Concrete proposals in the speech include setting up an Industrial Maritime Value Chain Alliance to bring together industry and authorities, encouraging vessels to choose EU flags through simplified reporting, and prioritising investments in sustainable maritime fuels produced in Europe to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. The Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors will facilitate clean fuel use internationally, while the Connecting Europe Facility will support fleet renewal and decarbonisation. Tzitzikostas urged member states to reinvest part of ETS revenues from the maritime sector back into decarbonising waterborne transport.
On ports, the Commissioner highlighted that they provide over 400,000 direct jobs and handle nearly three-quarters of EU external trade. The Ports Strategy includes guidance for member states on assessing foreign ownership and influence, a cybersecurity risk assessment, and measures to speed up electrification and onshore power supply while simplifying permit-granting for strategic energy projects. Funding will come from the Connecting Europe Facility, Cohesion Policy funds, and InvestEU, with attention to small and medium-sized ports. Tzitzikostas encouraged ports to diversify into clean energy, digital, and blue tech services using EU funding and public-private partnerships.
The speech did not address specific timelines or numerical targets for the strategies, focusing instead on broad commitments and calls for collaboration. Tzitzikostas concluded by urging stakeholders to translate the vision into action, emphasising that Europe's strategic autonomy will be built in its shipyards, ports, and maritime communities.