According to European industry organisation Waterborne Technology Platform (Waterborne TP), investments made by the broader European waterborne transport sector in 2025 reached record levels.
The Partnership Board of the Co-Programmed Partnership on Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport leads and accelerates the transformation of waterborne transport (i.e. maritime transport and inland navigation) towards zero-emission objectives by eliminating GHG emissions, as well as air and water pollutants through innovative technologies and operations. Its objective is to develop and demonstrate, by 2030, zero-emission solutions applicable for all main ship types and services, paving the way for zero-emission waterborne transport by 2050.
The report on additional activities entails an amount of almost €1.5bn of investments in:
- Additional research, development and innovation
- Scaling up of technologies
- Demonstrators of these innovative technologies
- The creation of new business opportunities
- Training and skills development
- Contribution to the development of new standards, regulations and policies
- Supporting the development of ecosystems, and
- Supporting communication, dissemination, awareness raising and citizen engagement.
Chair of the delegates group and Co-Chair of the partnership board, Pieter Huyskens, said: “The Additional Activities Report 2024/2025 shows the commitment of the broader European waterborne transport sector to develop and implement solutions for societal challenges. The €1.5bn of additional investments made is significantly higher than originally foreseen. In addition, it is a clear indication of the catalyst effect of the zero-emission waterborne transport partnership. Significant investments are foreseen for future years as well, whereas the step from technological maturity, to upscaling and deployment, requires substantial efforts”.
Jaap Gebraad, Secretary General, Waterborne TP, added: “The European waterborne sector is often perceived as conservative; however, I tend to call the sector introvert. As outlined in the memorandum of understanding between the European Commission and the Waterborne Technology Platform, the sector indicated to invest €3.3bn over the lifetime of the partnership on zero-emission waterborne transport, complementing €530m of investments via Horizon Europe. Halfway through the partnership, the private sector already invested €3bn in total, an exceptional leverage effect which goes well beyond initial expectations. This clearly shows the added value of specifically co-programmed partnerships at European level. This partnership aligns public and private actors around shared objectives and a clear research and innovation pathway to achieve these objectives. It perfectly shows why a renewal of the partnership in the next multiannual financial framework, with an expanded scope and specific focus on upscaling and deployment, critical to actively mobilise public and private investment.”
