Dear Readers,
Although we are only in February, 2025 is already shaping up to be a defining year for Europe’s competitiveness and Inland Waterway Transport (IWT). Major shifts are unfolding at the EU level, with competitiveness, sustainability, and digital transformation driving legislative priorities, investment strategies, and ambitious new targets. This article explores where the EU is headed, what this could mean for our organisations, and how the IWT sector can seize the opportunities ahead.
Setting the Tone: Policy Directions for 2025
European Commission’s Political Guidelines (2024–2029)
The new guidelines place competitiveness front and center, propelled by two major transitions: the green transition and the digital transformation. The Commission aims for a climate-neutral Europe by 2050, influencing a legislative and policy agenda designed to help sectors transition smoothly and sustainably.
Both reports emphasize boosting Europe’s innovation ecosystem and decreasing reliance on external actors in critical technologies and supply chains. By advocating increased research and development, digitalizing industries, and upgrading infrastructure, the Reports set a course for a more resilient and autonomous EU.
Commissioner Tzitzikostas’ Mission Letter
Building on the broader political guidelines, the mission letter for the new Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism outlines specific priorities for waterborne transport, maritime infrastructure, and ports. Key objectives include completing missing links in the Trans-European TransportNetwork by 2030, crafting a new industrial maritime strategy to enhance competitiveness and sustainability, and developing a comprehensive EU Port Strategy. These steps—alongside a focus on digitalization, decarbonization, and international engagement — will be essential for ensuring Europe’s leadership in the maritime sector.
Key Areas of Focus
- Competitiveness through Simplification
To alleviate burdens on businesses, the EU plans to introduce several initiatives — including a “Competitiveness Compass” — focused on streamlining the Single Market.
The goal: reduce contradictions, overlaps, and reporting requirements while enhancing opportunities for businesses to flourish. For IWT operators, simpler rules and reduced administrative hurdles can significantly improve cross-border shipping efficiency and cost-competitiveness.
- Green Transition & The European Green Deal
In line with the European Green Deal, the Commission intends to set new emission-reduction targets for 2040, roll out the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act, and secure stable energy and raw material supplies. Expect higher investment in clean energy, reduced energy costs for consumers and companies, and a dedicated push for clean tech development. For inland navigation, these policies provide a strategic opportunity to further enhance green credentials — through cleaner fuels, electrification, and infrastructure upgrades along Europe’s waterways.
- Skills & Labour Market Gaps
The Commission is targeting skills shortages across Europe by creating a “Union of Skills.” Plans include improving basic competencies, launching a STEM Education Strategic Plan, and promoting vocational education and training (VET). These actions, along with policies to attract highly skilled workers, aim to address workforce imbalances and keep the EU competitive on the global stage.
- Waterborne Transport, Infrastructure, and Ports
In line with Commissioner Tzitzikostas’ Mission Letter, waterborne transport will be key to driving Europe’s competitiveness and sustainability. Completing missing Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) links by 2030 remains a top priority, alongside a forthcoming Sustainable Transport Investment Plan to scale up decarbonization efforts. A new industrial maritime strategy and a comprehensive EU Port Strategy will enhance competitiveness, resilience, and security, while aligning with the EU’s broader Green Deal goals. Finally, the sector’s passenger services might benefit from measures under the EU Agenda for Tourism 2030, ensuring a more resilient and vibrant tourism landscape.
Anticipated Legislation
- Competitiveness Compass
- Expected as President von der Leyen’s first major initiative in this new mandate.
- Focuses on bridging the innovation gap with the U.S. and China, implementing a joint decarbonization plan, and reducing dependencies to strengthen security.
- A more competitive, innovative EU market directly benefits inland waterways, facilitating the efficient movement of goods and boosting logistical connectivity.
- Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report 2025
- Released alongside the Competitiveness Compass.
- Builds on Mario Draghi’s insights, spotlighting productivity, innovation, and security as key pillars for global competitiveness.
- Omnibus Simplification Package
- Aims to streamline reporting and compliance in existing directives and regulations, including Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD), Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSRD), Taxonomy Regulation, and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
- Seeks to enhance European companies’ competitiveness by simplifying legal frameworks.
- Horizontal Single Market Strategy (June 2025)
- Will propose a holistic approach to removing barriers, ensuring efficient implementation of existing rules, and bolstering cross-border service and goods provision.
- Includes measures to strengthen the movement of essential goods.
- Clean Industrial Deal (CID)
- Continues the European Green Deal objectives, targeting a 90% emission reduction by 2040 and providing access to affordable, sustainable energy and raw materials.
- Opens doors for inland waterway operators to access funding and incentives for modernizing fleets, upgrading ports with green infrastructure, and adopting low-emission technologies.
Looking Ahead: What it means for Inland Waterway Transport
As the EU intensifies efforts around competitiveness, sustainability, and digital transformation, businesses and stakeholders — including the inland waterway transport (IWT) sector– must stay agile.
The IWT sector is already mobilizing resources to modernize fleets, embrace cleaner propulsion, and adopt digital solutions that enhance efficiency. We hope this newsletter helps you navigate the evolving legislative landscape and seize the opportunities these changes bring.
Stay tuned for future updates in the next editions, where we will dive deeper into these initiatives and explore how they shape Europe’s economic, environmental, and social frameworks for 2025 and beyond ensuring that inland waterway transport remains a cornerstone of the EU’s competitive and sustainable future.
Warm regards,
Janeta Toma
General manager
European IWT Platform
