EU Transport Plan backs technology-neutral fuel and infrastructure decarbonisation pathway
by European Boating Industry 5 Nov 16:13 GMT
European Boating Industry (EBI) welcomes the European Commission's Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) released today as a groundbreaking moment for Europe's boating industry.
For the first time ever, recreational craft are explicitly included in the EU's transport investment strategy — marking a historic milestone that recognises the sector's importance in Europe's green transition and maritime industry. It comes after continued EBI engagement with the EU Commission on the importance of alternative fuel and infrastructure for the boating industry over the last year. This milestone also represents an important achievement in EBI's Manifesto for this EU mandate.
The STIP states "Similarly to the maritime sector, a broad set of possible alternatives to fossil fuels are being considered for [...] for recreational craft." It adds that "[...] recreational craft experience a low pace of penetration of new vessels [...]. With no mandatory targets in place, at least 90% of vessels (...] may progressively be replaced by renewable drop-in fuels."
The key takeaways for the boating industry are:
- First-ever recognition of recreational craft - The Plan explicitly includes recreational craft in the EU's transport investment plan — acknowledging their unique challenges and innovation potential in adopting clean propulsion, electrification, and a wide scope of renewable fuels from e-fuels to hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO), green methanol and hydrogen rather than a single pathway.[1]
- New EU funding and investment opportunities - The Plan mobilises €2.9 billion in EU support by 2027 and aims to leverage over €100 billion in total investment by 2035, with clear openings for projects in sustainable fuels, electric and hybrid technologies, and marina infrastructure.[2]
- Support for sustainable fuels and infrastructure in marinas - The Commission will explore certification schemes, fuel traceability, and book-and-claim systems to support smaller operators and promote renewable fuels across all vessel types — a vital step for the industry's decarbonisation roadmap.[3]
Philip Easthill, Secretary-General of EBI, said: "For the first time, recreational boating is part of the EU's waterborne decarbonisation strategy. It shows that our sector is being heard and recognised as a relevant contributor to Europe's green transition with a technology-neutral decarbonisation pathway and necessary focus on the existing fleet and sustainable fuels. This recognition puts the recreational boating sector firmly on the map of support by the EU in the years ahead. It sends a clear signal that sustainability in fuels and propulsion system as well as infrastructure in marinas is a key part of Europe's industrial strategies."
Building on this momentum, EBI will continue to work closely with the European Commission and Member States to ensure that the boating sector fully benefits from initiatives coming out of the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, the upcoming EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and Sustainable Tourism Strategy, both expected in 2026. These frameworks will be essential to advance clean technologies, develop sustainable marina infrastructure to have a comprehensive framework for decarbonisation and strengthen Europe's leadership in sustainability and innovation.
[1] pp. 7-8.
[2] pp. 8-9.
[3] pp. 15-16.