SEA Europe welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for a European Competitiveness Fund

SEA Europe warmly welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for a new European Competitiveness Fund, a long-awaited initiative that aligns with SEA Europe’s longstanding calls for targeted EU investment in Europe’s shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers — a strategic sector vital for Europe’s decarbonisation, industrial competitiveness, and security.

The proposal directly reflects key priorities set out in SEA Europe’s recommendations for an Industrial Maritime Strategy, in particular:

Article 33 of the proposal , under Chapter IV (“Support for Clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation”), explicitly supports investment, innovation, and modernisation in sustainable blue economy sectors, including shipbuilding and blue tech.

Article 10 introduces a vital “EU Preference” framework, allowing support under the Fund to favour Union-based entities, protect Europe’s economic interests and strategic autonomy, and ensure a level playing field — all while safeguarding the integrity of the single market.

The inclusion of Chapter VII on “Support for Resilience and Security, Defence Industry and Space” recognises the strategic role of Europe’s maritime manufacturing sector in supporting Europe’s defence, civil preparedness, and supply chain sovereignty.

SEA Europe calls on the European Parliament and the Council to amplify this strong and strategic signal by swiftly adopting the proposal and strengthening its provisions where needed.

Looking ahead, the upcoming European Industrial Maritime Strategy must build on this momentum and define a comprehensive investment plan for the maritime manufacturing sector, leveraging the Competitiveness Fund, national public funding, and private financing alike.