The conclusions mark an important step in the evolution of EU industrial policy. By highlighting the role of shipbuilding and maritime equipment in securing energy flows and strengthening industrial resilience, the Council opens the door to a more assertive industrial policy. The emphasis on public procurement, industrial alliances, and quality jobs is particularly welcome. IndustriAll Europe strongly supports this ambition to maintain a critical mass of maritime industrial capacity within Europe.
IndustriAll Europe welcomes the Council’s call for the “support of quality and rewarding jobs” in the maritime sector, recognising that industrial competitiveness must go hand in hand with strong social standards. This is an important signal, but it must now be followed by concrete measures to ensure secure employment, fair wages and full respect for collective bargaining across the value chain.
The Council strongly supports public investment, procurement, and industrial alliances to reinforce the maritime value chain, an approach IndustriAll Europe fully supports, in particular the call for the strategic use of public procurement and non-price criteria. However, these tools are not linked to social conditionalities. Without clear safeguards, such as respect for collective bargaining, fair wages, and limits on abusive subcontracting, there is a real risk that public funding will strengthen industry without guaranteeing quality jobs.
IndustriAll Europe also welcomes the strong focus on decarbonisation and digitalisation. These transitions are essential for the sector’s long-term competitiveness and sustainability. At the same time, they can create new opportunities for quality employment, innovation, and skills development—provided that workers are fully involved in the process.
The Council’s objective to maintain a critical mass of maritime manufacturing capacity in Europe is equally important and strongly supported. In this context, the proposed Industrial Maritime Value Chain Alliance is a promising initiative to strengthen coordination, investment, and innovation across the sector.
Finally, the growing focus on global competition and trade distortions is an important element of the conclusions. IndustriAll Europe supports stronger action to ensure a level playing field, as this is essential to protect European industry and quality jobs.
“The Council conclusions are a strong signal that Europe recognises the strategic importance of its maritime industries. But strategy alone is not enough. This is a real opportunity to combine industrial ambition with social progress. Europe’s competitiveness will ultimately depend on its workers. Investing in skills, quality jobs and social dialogue is not optional, it is the foundation of a resilient and sustainable maritime sector.” said Isabelle Barthès, Deputy General Secretary of industriAll Europe
Overall, the Council conclusions represent a significant and positive step towards a stronger European maritime industrial policy. However, without stronger social guarantees, this ambition remains incomplete. Embedding social conditionalities, reinforcing collective bargaining and investing in skills and job quality are essential to ensure that the strategy delivers for workers as well as for industry.
IndustriAll Europe stands ready to work with EU institutions, Member States, and industry to turn this ambition into reality, building a maritime sector that is resilient, innovative, and fair.
A competitive maritime Europe must be built with its workers, as a driving force for its success.