The European Commission on 05 November 2025 launched the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP). 

The IWT sector welcomes the STIP and the acknowledgement of the sector’s needs in terms of investment and alternative fuels availability. Recognized as a highly competitive, energy-efficient, safe, and sustainable alternative to other transport modes, inland waterway transport is committed to  a zero-emission transition. However, currently critical market failures are obstructing the adoption of sustainable alternative fuel solutions. In this context we welcome the acknowledgement of the role of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) as backbone of the sector and their needs in the realization of the energy transition and their support in accessing support measures.

It highlights that investing in renewable and low-carbon fuel technologies is crucial for decarbonisation and boosting industrial competitiveness as well as energy  security, decreasing our dependence on fossil fuel imports. The report underlines the need for a strategic framework bringing together supply and demand for these fuels in the EU.

The STIP intends to rapidly accelerate the energy transition of the aviation and waterborne transport sectors, providing a common approach to boost investments into renewable and low-carbon fuels for these sectors. With the STIP, the Commission wants to send a clear signal to investors that its targets are stable, and that it will support the sector throughout the transition.

As pointed out in the position paper of the IWT & Ports sector as input to the STIP, a near-term transition to zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in inland waterway transport is within reach through the widespread adoption of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). HVO as renewable drop-in fuel enables full decarbonisation and can be used immediately in existing and modern internal combustion engines to replace fossil diesel. Moreover, HVO is fully compatible with the current refuelling infrastructure. However, the shift is currently hindered by the inability to pass on the considerably higher price of HVO to customers, leading to competitive disadvantages compared to fossil fuel users.

The IWT sector in its roadmap proposed a set of measures needed to underpin the transition towards zero emission.

Author: Theresia Hacksteiner