SEA Europe welcomes the EU Clean Industrial Deal: A landmark opportunity for Europe’s maritime manufacturing industry

Today, the European Commission unveiled the Clean Industrial Deal, a transformative industrial policy aimed at making the green transition a competitive advantage for European industries.

SEA Europe, the association representing European shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers, strongly supports this initiative. Our industry is central to the success of the Clean Industrial Deal: it is both energy-intensive – facing high energy costs, unfair global competition, and complex regulations – and a key player in the clean-tech sector, driving the industrial transformation, decarbonisation, and competitiveness of Europe.

The shipbuilding, ship repair, and maritime manufacturing industry is essential to advancing high-tech solutions that enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the entire maritime and blue economy sector. Moreover, it plays a critical role in strengthening Europe’s naval defence and maritime security.

SEA Europe is fully aligned with the EU’s decarbonisation goals and is particularly encouraged by the Clean Industrial Deal’s focus on offering clear business incentives to decarbonise within Europe. In particular, we welcome the commitment to scaling clean manufacturing capacity in Europe and to strengthening demand for EU-made clean products through non-price criteria in public procurement, as well as incentives for private purchases.

SEA Europe’s Chairman, Alberto Maestrini, and Secretary-General, Christophe Tytgat, are attending today the high-level launch of the Clean Industrial Deal in Antwerp, alongside the President of the European Commission and business and trade union leaders from various industrial sectors.

Alberto Maestrini, Chairman of SEA Europe, stated: “The Clean Industrial Deal represents a historic shift in EU policy towards supporting the competitiveness of Europe’s industries while promoting a greener, more prosperous future. In the face of rising geopolitical tensions and growing protectionism, strengthening Europe’s industries is crucial to safeguarding the resilience of our supply chains and the backbone of our economy. The shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing industry is committed to playing a key role in this transformation.”

Christophe Tytgat, Secretary-General of SEA Europe, added: “The maritme manufacturing industry ticks all the boxes of the Clean Industrial Deal, as a sector contributing substantially to sustainability and decarbonisation. We are now looking forward to translate this ambition into the upcoming Industrial Maritime Strategy announced by the European Commission to enhance the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of Europe’s maritime manufacturing sector. SEA Europe stands ready to collaborate with the EU to deliver impactful policies that boost the competitiveness of the entire European maritime sector.”

SEA Europe represents close to 100% of the European shipbuilding industry in 16 nations, encompassing the production, maintenance, repair, and conversion of all types of ships and floating structures, commercial as well as naval, including the full supply chain with the various producers of maritime systems, equipment material, and services. As an NGO observer at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), CESA represents the shipbuilding industry and its supply chain from EU Member States, Norway, and Turkey.