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Ahead of the European Commission’s upcoming Maritime and Port Strategies, CLECAT and 16 organisations from across Europe’s logistics and transport sectors have adopted a joint statement titled “Resilient Waterborne Logistics Supply Chains: A Key to EU Competitiveness.” The paper published on the 20th March makes a strong case for a coordinated, ecosystem-driven approach to strengthen the EU’s maritime sector as a strategic asset in trade, sustainability, and industrial resilience.

Accounting for nearly 90% of the EU’s external trade and supporting over 4 million jobs, the waterborne logistics ecosystem contributes around €500 billion annually to Europe’s GDP. To ensure the sector continues to thrive, the signatories urge policymakers to reinforce the link between maritime and land-based logistics, promote innovation, and support investment across the value chain.

The joint statement outlines eight key priorities for the EU’s future strategies:

• An ecosystem approach that aligns industrial, transport and environmental policy;
• Resilience and preparedness through governance, digital tools, and workforce skills;
• Multimodal connectivity, especially through completing TEN-T and strengthening rail and inland links;
• A stable regulatory environment to foster investment and fair competition;
• Innovation and R&D as drivers of decarbonisation and competitiveness;
• Adequate funding, leveraging both EU instruments and green finance;
• Support for SMEs and market diversity to ensure fair access and competition;
• A strong social dimension with quality jobs, training, and social dialogue.

The statement highlights the need for close coordination between EU transport, industrial, and climate policy, calling for the maritime sector to be placed firmly within the EU’s broader competitiveness agenda.  “The waterborne ecosystem is indispensable to Europe’s economy and green transition. We urge policymakers to embed these priorities into future strategies to ensure a resilient and globally competitive maritime sector.”

The signatories reaffirm their commitment to engaging with the European Commission in shaping a forward-looking strategy that reflects the vital role of ports and maritime logistics in Europe’s future.

The full paper is available here.