The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) have both adopted formal opinions on the European Oceans Pact, calling for a more robust and coordinated governance approach and greater involvement of local and regional stakeholders in shaping the future of ocean policy. Both are EU institutions with a crucial role in advising on policy development from their unique perspectives.

In its opinion, the EESC underlined that the pact must be more than a political statement. It should be a comprehensive framework that supports a sustainable and competitive blue economy, balances environmental, economic and social objectives, and is aligned with the EU Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals. Recommendations include establishing working groups on ocean matters in all EU institutions, improving maritime governance, and launching an industrial alliance for blue economy value chains. The EESC also called for targeted action to tackle labour shortages in the maritime sector.

The CoR’s opinion warned against a top-down approach. It emphasised the importance of involving local and regional authorities in the design and implementation of the pact. The opinion called for structured dialogues at all governance levels, strengthened Maritime Spatial Planning, and funding to support local adaptation and innovation. The CoR also linked the pact to broader EU goals on the circular economy and food security, reiterating the need for marine ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation funding.

Their inputs, along with that of EBI and other stakeholders, will feed into the final shape of the European Oceans Pact expected in mid-2025.

Find here the Committee of the Regions press release and the EESC press release.

On 19 March 2025, the European Commission announced the introduction of definitive anti-dumping duties on glass fibre yarns from China, with rates ranging from 10.3% to 30.7%. The decision follows an investigation confirming that Chinese exporters were selling these materials at unfairly low prices, harming EU producers.

Glass fibre yarns are a vital input in the boatbuilding sector. While the new duties aim to protect European manufacturers and restore fair competition, they may also lead to short-term cost increases for companies sourcing from China.

Cédric Janssens, Secretary General of Glass Fibre Europe, praised the EU’s action, stating: “With this decision, the European Union has shown that it will not hesitate to defend a level playing field in its market, imposing duties of up to 56.1% to counteract unfair competition. This strong response reaffirms Europe’s commitment to protecting its domestic industries, securing jobs and ensuring the resilience and competitiveness of its strategic sectors.”

For more details, please follow the link.

The current state of recreational boating licenses in the EU is marked by fragmentation and inconsistency, creating widespread challenges for both boaters and businesses across Europe. A recent study commissioned by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) highlights the need for action—and the most effective way forward.

Despite the EU's commitment to the free movement of people and services, national discrepancies in licensing standards persist. These differences—ranging from medical certificate requirements to inland/coastal water distinctions—have resulted in a confusing, bureaucratic, and inefficient licensing landscape. For businesses, particularly charter companies, rental services, and marinas, the lack of mutual recognition across Member States adds significant operational burdens and limits cross-border growth opportunities. For boaters, uncertainty around whether their license will be accepted abroad continues to hinder mobility and access. In return, this is a barrier for businesses

The study identified three possible policy paths to address these regulatory challenges:

1. Policy option 1 – Maintain the Status Quo: retaining the current fragmented system would continue to obstruct cross-border navigation, hamper economic activity, and fail to meet the EU's broader goals of market integration. It offers no long-term solution.

2. Policy Option 2 – Mutual Recognition of ICC Certificates: this is the most practical and politically feasible solution. It proposes an EU directive requiring Member States to mutually recognize the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) issued under UNECE Resolution No. 40. It is a standardised, internationally recognised proof of competency for recreational boat operators. This would streamline licensing recognition, reduce administrative burdens, and enable boaters and businesses to operate more freely across borders.

3. Policy Option 3 – Full EU-Wide Licensing Harmonisation: while this approach could bring comprehensive long-term benefits through standardised training and certification, the political, legal, practical and administrative hurdles are considerable. Countries without mandatory licensing systems, or with deeply embedded national standards, are unlikely to support such far-reaching change in the near future.

As the voice of the recreational boating industry in Europe, EBI welcomes the findings of this study and reaffirms its support for Policy Option 2, the mutual recognition of licenses through the full application of UNECE Resolution 40. This position is also reflected in EBI’s policy manifesto, where harmonisation and reduction of red tape are highlighted as key priorities for the sector’s sustainable growth. ICC would provide the strongest legal clarity, enhance safety through consistent standards, and unlock new opportunities for nautical tourism, skills development, and innovation.

The full study will be published soon on the Commission’s website.

The second edition of the World Foiling Congress took place in Genoa at the end of May, bringing together industry leaders, regulators, manufacturers, and stakeholders from the global foiling sector. Organised by The Foiling Organization, an EBI sustaining member, the congress is increasingly recognised as the key international forum for advancing regulation, certification, and innovation in this fast-growing segment of the boating industry.

The congress covered a wide range of topics, including the integration of hydrofoils under the EU Recreational Craft Directive, the development of harmonised certification frameworks, and regulatory pathways at both EU and national levels. Dedicated panels explored the challenges and opportunities in recreational, commercial and high-speed craft, as well as applications for search and rescue and defence.

The collaboration between The Foiling Organization and EBI on certification and regulatory issues was highlighted during the sessions, reflecting shared efforts to ensure a safe, sustainable, and competitive future for foiling technologies in Europe.

EBI attended the EU Tourism Stakeholder Event organised by the EU Commission’s DG for Mobility and Transport in Brussels. The event provided insights into the forthcoming EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, which aims to address challenges such as climate action, digital transformation, accessibility, and resilience within the tourism sector.

A consultation was unveiled during the event, recognising recreational boating as a significant component of the tourism ecosystem. This acknowledgment underscores the sector's role in sustainable and resilient tourism development. EBI will make this consultation available to its members shortly.

The event also highlighted progress in areas like multimodal travel solutions, digital booking systems, and the implementation of the Transition Pathway for Tourism, which includes over 500 stakeholder pledges aimed at advancing sustainability and competitiveness in the sector.

The 2025 edition of European Maritime Day took place from 21 to 23 May in Cork, Ireland, gathering over 1,200 stakeholders from across Europe’s maritime community. Organised by the EU Commission in collaboration with Cork City Council and the Irish Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, EMD 2025 served as a pivotal platform for discussions on the future of the sustainable blue economy.

Key topics included the forthcoming European Ocean Pact, maritime spatial planning, blue skills development, and regional cooperation through EU Sea Basin Strategies. The event featured high-level panels, thematic workshops, and exhibitions showcasing innovative projects and initiatives. Notably, the High-Level Panel on Synergies between Sea Basin Strategies highlighted the importance of regional collaboration in addressing maritime challenges and implementing EU blue economy policies.

EBI participated actively in EMD 2025, contributing to the discourse on sustainable maritime tourism. As part of the TWINNEDbySTARS project, EBI organised a workshop titled "From Isolation to Innovation: Boosting Maritime and Coastal Tourism in Outermost Regions." The session brought together key stakeholders, including Christos Economou (DG MARE), Anastasia Fourkiotou (Atlantis Consulting S.A.), and Paal Janson (Irish Marine Federation), to discuss challenges and opportunities for sustainable tourism in the EU's Outermost Regions.

The workshop underscored the need for enhanced regional cooperation, science-based legislation, and knowledge-sharing to foster sustainable growth in maritime tourism. Insights and recommendations from the session will inform policy feedback reports for the TWINNEDbySTARS and ecoRoute projects, aiming to support the development of innovative, sustainable tourism practices in remote maritime regions.

EBI was honoured to attend the ICOMIA/IFBSO Congress in Palma de Mallorca, Spain fantastically hosted by the Spanish association ANEN in one of the capitals of the recreational boating industry in Europe. It was a valuable opportunity to connect with global colleagues, exchange perspectives on the key challenges and opportunities shaping our industry, and experience first-hand the dynamic ecosystem of one of Europe’s major nautical hubs.

ICOMIA elected its new board of directors and EBI congratulates its new President Frank Hugelmeyer (NMMA) and Vice-Presidents Lesley Robinson (British Marine) and Jarkko Pajusalo (Finnboat). We look forward to deepening our strategic collaboration with our global partner association in the years ahead.

More information here.

TECH-FAB Europe, the association for European technical textiles producers, has published a life cycle assessment (LCA) study on glass fibre fabrics. This publication, an industry first, clearly highlights the environmental benefits of building a strong European supply chain for these products. TECH-FAB Europe’s members represent approximately 95% of the European production of glass fibre fabrics.

The new report, Life cycle assessment of glass fibre fabrics, was produced as part of a TECH-FAB Europe project to develop association-level LCAs of key technical textiles products. The cradle-to-gate analysis was performed by PwC.

3 key findings:

1. From raw material extraction to the factory gate, producing 1 kg of glass fibre fabric in Europe generates, on average, greenhouse gas emissions of 2.21 kg of CO2eq and a primary energy demand of 39 MJ.
2. The majority of the impact is driven by the production of glass fibre, which accounts for 89% of the carbon footprint of the final product.
3. European manufacturers of composite solutions can significantly reduce their environmental impacts by using glass fibre fabrics produced in Europe.

More information can be found here. The report itself, Life cycle assessment of glass fibre fabrics, is available on request. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

On 20 May, Parliament and Council negotiators reached an agreement to update the mandate of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The aim is to enhance EMSA’s capacity to support EU countries with maritime safety, security and situational awareness, in response to emerging geopolitical challenges.

Under the new mandate, EMSA will continue to contribute to decarbonisation efforts in shipping, monitor progress on emissions reduction, and further support pollution prevention. The Agency will also assist in the digitalisation of maritime registries and reducing administrative burden in the sector. In addition, EMSA will provide training to national authorities, such as on safety inspections.

The revised mandate is part of the maritime safety package presented in 2023 and still requires formal approval by the Council and Parliament.

The EU Commission published the 2025 edition of the EU Blue Economy Report, presenting detailed insights into the performance and prospects of Europe's marine and maritime sectors. The report highlights the recovery and continued growth of the Blue Economy, which generated €250.7 billion in gross value added (GVA) and employed nearly 4.82 million people in 2022, showing further increases into 2023.

Coastal tourism stands out as the largest segment, demonstrating full recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, this sector alone represented 33% of the EU Blue Economy’s GVA and 53% of total employment, significantly benefiting recreational boating and marine leisure activities.

Additionally, the report emphasises the strategic role of the Blue Economy in meeting EU political priorities such as enhancing competitiveness, achieving strategic autonomy, and supporting clean energy transitions.

Read the full report here.