European maritime companies and organizations have called on the European Commission to fully integrate shipping into its upcoming Electrification Action Plan, arguing that faster electrification of ports and vessels is essential.
In a joint letter addressed to senior EU Commissioners, the coalition welcomed the forthcoming plan as a major opportunity to accelerate Europe’s transition toward a “resilient, competitive and electrified shipping economy.” The signatories emphasized that electrification across ports, terminals, and vessels should be treated as a central component of EU industrial strategy.
Ports, they argued, are strategic energy and logistics hubs whose rapid electrification is necessary to strengthen Europe’s energy security and competitiveness.
They also linked maritime electrification to the EU’s broader climate objectives, noting that the Clean Industrial Deal’s target of increasing electricity’s share in final energy consumption to 32–33% by 2030 will require significant progress in sectors such as shipping.
However, the industry group warned that progress is being held back by structural barriers, including lengthy permitting procedures, insufficient electricity grid capacity, and limited deployment of storage and flexibility technologies. These issues, they said, are slowing the adoption of established solutions such as shore-side electricity and battery-electric vessels.
The coalition cautioned that continued delays risk undermining EU climate targets and prolonging reliance on fossil fuels in maritime transport.
The letter outlines a series of demands for inclusion in the Electrification Action Plan, including measures to prioritize maritime electrification, accelerate port infrastructure upgrades, and stimulate investment in clean shipping technologies.
The organizations therefore call on the Commission to ensure that the Electrification Action Plan:
Recognizes maritime electrification as a strategic priority within Europe’s broader electrification agenda, positions ports as key nodes for energy system integration and grants them priority status for grid access.
Accelerates the electrification of ports and deployment of shoreside electricity, via streamlined permit-granting procedures, anticipating future demand, and the deployment of flexibility and electricity storage technologies.
Creates incentives to accelerate the electrification of European vessels, such as the introduction of a dedicated shipping electrification target and the use of green criteria in public procurement rules. The Plan should also support the development of a robust European maritime industry, including for marine batteries.
Mobilizes public and private investments in maritime electrification projects and addresses the persistent fiscal imbalance between electricity and untaxed fossil fuels.
Beyond these priorities, the coalition said the Electrification Action Plan represents a critical opportunity to build on existing EU strategies for ports and industrial maritime sectors, and to send a strong signal that shipping is moving decisively toward electrification.
They concluded that Europe cannot afford to miss the opportunity to accelerate maritime electrification, warning that failure to act would risk both energy security and climate targets.
The European Commission is expected to unveil its Electrification Action Plan in the coming months as part of its broader industrial and decarbonization strategy.