The Waterborne Technology Platform has welcomed the recognition of the Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport Partnership as stepping stone for future European public-private cooperation
The European Commission has now published its Industrial Maritime Strategy and the European Ports Strategy. In both strategies, to strengthen the EU technological leadership, the EC will seek the reinforcement of public-private cooperation under the 2028 – 2034 Horizon Europe Framework Programme. This will build upon the achievements of the current co-programmed partnership on zero-emission waterborne transport, to foster synergies and scale effect between decarbonisation, digitalisation, automation and circularity in the broader waterborne ecosystem. This is fully in line with the call for a dedicated partnership on waterborne technology leadership, as published by the Waterborne TP at the beginning of 2026.
The transition to a competitive, resilient and sustainable waterborne sector is considered to require a comprehensive, mission-driven research and innovation strategy. This strategy will enable rapid technological progress, accelerated demonstration and deployment, strengthened industrial competitiveness, and seamless integration of innovations across vessels, ports, infrastructure and the expanding blue economy. The waterborne sector’s transformation is uniquely complex: waterborne assets have long lifespans, vessels operate globally under diverse regulatory regimes, rely on specialised fuels and equipment, and depend on interoperable port and logistics systems. These characteristics make coordinated, large-scale RD&I investment indispensable to deliver climate neutrality, digital excellence, resilience, safety, security, and European technology leadership. Therefore, a work-programme-based partnership on waterborne technology leadership in the context of Horizon Europe post 2027 should address the full innovation chain, from fundamental research to large-scale deployment.
Horizon Europe, the EU’s successor to its current research, development and innovation programme, aims to strengthen Europe’s scientific and technological foundations, enhance the circulation and uptake of knowledge, technology and innovation and mobilise public and private investments across the full research and innovation chain, from fundamental research to market commercialisation. Support to achieving the objectives of the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) can be provided by contributions to European Partnerships in the framework of Horizon Europe. European partnerships are seen as an essential tool to deliver on industrial involvement and investment in collaborative research and innovation, and they should contribute to the specific objectives of the ECF policy windows.
Jaap Gebraad, Secretary General, Waterborne TP, said: “The reinforcement of public-private cooperation in the context of Horizon Europe 2028 – 2034 reflects years of coordinated work led by the Waterborne Technology Platform and is a major achievement. First, it is a clear recognition of the strategic importance of the European waterborne ecosystem. Furthermore, it builds on years of bringing together a highly fragmented sector with diverging strategic ambitions. The added value of the ZEWT partnership is the alignment of agendas, resources, and efforts among sectors and businesses, including SMEs that dominate in the sector, in addition to pledges of additional resources for research, dissemination and capacity building. Finally, the leverage of the Partnership is remarkable, as for every euro invested via Horizon Europe, the sector is investing €6. To prepare the future, we are currently drafting nine Technology Roadmaps, which will include research, development, innovation, upscaling and deployment, paving the way for public/private investments.”
The EC Maritime and Ports Strategies can be found here.
