The EU and Mercosur have reached a landmark agreement aimed at deepening strategic, economic, and sustainability ties. The agreement, which finalises years of negotiations, is set to bring significant benefits for industries on both sides, including the boating and nautical tourism sector.

Under this partnership, mutual trade opportunities will expand, eliminating high export duties and fostering access to critical raw materials vital for green technologies. Sustainability plays a key role, with commitments to halt deforestation and align with the Paris Agreement objectives. This milestone could offer benefits to European boatbuilders and suppliers looking to increase exports to South America.

The proposal will now move through procedural steps before full implementation, including approval by the EU Council and Parliament.

Read the EU Commission press release here.

Members of European Boating Industry (EBI) came together in person for the first General Assembly of 2025. The assembly provided a vibrant platform for networking, discussing the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, as well as future prospects.

Robert Marx and Kaloyan Radulov at boot Düsseldorf

A key highlight was the approval of membership of the Bulgarian Association of Boating Industry (BABI) as EBI’s newest member. This addition marks a significant step forward, both for EBI, which now can count 30 members, and for the Bulgarian nautical sector and its needs. The inclusion of BABI strengthens EBI’s representation across Europe and highlights the continued growth and cooperation within the industry.

Elica Yard, LZ Yachting 1991, Crooze Yachts Bulgaria and Dream Sea Yachting are the founding members which have established the Bulgarian Boating Industry Association. Its creation was a natural progression, given the recent efforts by several local companies to introduce their own luxury yacht brands to the international market. Manufacturers, brokers, charter companies, and yacht equipment importers have united to strengthen Bulgaria’s yachting industry.

The association’s main objective is to position Bulgaria as a new high-quality yacht-building hub in Europe, working alongside local authorities and entrepreneurs to increase the presence of Bulgarian yacht brands on the global stage. This industry is expected to bring significant benefits to both the Bulgarian and Balkan economies in the future. Developing a strong supply chain of suppliers, subcontractors, and importers will be vital to bolstering the competitiveness of Bulgarian-made yachts. The association also aims to encourage yachting as a popular leisure activity for Bulgarians.

Robert Marx, President of the EBI, stated: “We are delighted to welcome the Bulgarian Association of Boating Industry into the EBI family. Its membership reflects the growing importance of Bulgaria’s recreational boating sector and this partnership will enhance our efforts to promote sustainable growth, foster innovation, and strengthen cooperation across the industry.”

The President of BABI, Kaloyan Radulov, shared: “By driving investment in the yachting sector, advocating for the interests of Bulgaria’s recreational marine industry, and facilitating the exchange of information, best practices, and technical expertise among members and partners, we believe Bulgaria is well on its way to long-term success in this promising market.”

This first-ever collaboration unites the global recreational marine industry to accelerate progress in developing a shared approach to quantifying environmental performance across a range of technologies

Today, leading marine trade associations the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), European Boating Industry (EBI), and National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced they are joining together to develop a global recreational marine lifecycle assessment (LCA) framework. This partnership establishes the first-ever global collaboration to assess, measure and report the industry’s environmental performance of recreational boats.

As part of ongoing efforts to demonstrate environmental stewardship and harmonise global sustainability initiatives, and the recreational marine industry is committed to achieving a comprehensive framework that  provides a methodology that quantifies the environmental performance of a recreational boat through every phase of its life, including raw materials, production, use phase, disposal and recycling. The announcement comes as the industry gathers at boot Düsseldorf 2025 to showcase new technologies and sustainability innovations that will prepare and support an exciting future for recreational boating around the world.

EBI and NMMA recognise that ensuring the long-term resilience of the recreational marine industry requires forward-thinking sustainability strategies that balance business growth with responsible practices. Developing a global approach to assessing the full lifecycle of products is a critical step in helping manufacturers make informed decisions that strengthen their operations, supply chains, and product design while meeting evolving market expectations. This work will provide a practical framework for companies to innovate and support a long-standing commitment to the environment that ensures future generations’ continued ability to enjoy the unique experiences boating provides. The LCA work builds on the Propelling Our Future initiative, a global industry effort to equip the industry with knowledge on the multiple technologies needed to move the industry toward decarbonisation.

“Since 1966, ICOMIA has helped the global recreational marine industry create a better boating experience that reduces our environmental footprint,” said Darren Vaux, President of ICOMIA. “Developing a standardised LCA, a continuation of the industry’s Propelling Our Future initiative, is an important step in advancing this work, ensuring there is a consistent path for measurement and self-regulation across our industry.”

“EBI has been developing an LCA methodology for the European market given some of our members’ more immediate needs and the collaboration with ICOMIA and NMMA provides a long-term globally aligned solution. The final collaborative LCA methodology will allow us to improve environmental performance and transform the future of the global industry. We are glad to open our doors to our global partners to work on the next phase,” said Robert Marx, President of EBI. "A harmonised lifecycle assessment is crucial to moving the industry forward in lockstep—from eco-design to navigating the regulatory landscape and ensuring we continue to do our part to protect the environment.”

“As the leading recreational boating market, we recognise the significance of partnering with the global market to establish a unified global LCA methodology as our members’ products are increasingly sought around the world, making that consistency more important than ever,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO of NMMA. “Through the shared commitment of our respective member companies and the boaters who enjoy taking to the water, we look forward to introducing the new LCA as a resource to empower the industry to consistently measure, communicate and self-regulate their environmental performance, and continue the momentum and global harmonisation that’s the foundation of our Propelling Our Future initiative.”

ICOMIA, EBI and NMMA will complete an extensive review of LCA methodologies to identify the most relevant approach for the global market, building on the projects already completed or underway with EBI’s Blue Boat Horizon project and ICOMIA’s Marine Engine Committee (IMEC). In addition to the methodology, the global recreational marine lifecycle assessment project will ultimately include the development of standard inventory databases, tools, communications materials and educational initiatives to help manufacturers and other marine organisations.

As the LCA is built, ICOMIA, EBI and NMMA will convene a global task force with involvement from associations and companies around the world. The joint task force will consist of several committees focused on technical input and guidance; assessing and preparing for a successful rollout of the final LCA; industry education and training; and public policy/affairs and communications.

For questions related to this press release, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA): ICOMIA brings together national marine industry associations into one global organisation and represents them at an international level, presenting a strong and united voice when dealing with issues challenging the marine industry. ICOMIA has been an active advocate for the international marine industry since 1966, working with authorities, regulatory bodies and related organisations to facilitate and encourage the growth of the recreational marine industry whilst developing policies and guidance to ensure safety, sustainability and compliance. To find out more about ICOMIA, visit www.icomia.org. 

About the European Boating Industry (EBI): EBI represents the recreational boating industry in Europe. It encompasses all related sectors, such as boatbuilding, equipment manufacturing, marinas and service providers. The industry is a significant contributor to the European economy, representing 32,000 companies, predominantly SMEs that employ over 280,000 people directly. The mission of EBI is to advance and represent a sustainable boating and nautical tourism industry #MadeInEurope. More information on EBI’s website: www.europeanboatingindustry.eu. 
 

About the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA): NMMA the leading trade organization for the North American recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce approximately 85% of the boats, engines, trailers, marine accessories and gear used by millions of boaters in North America. The association serves its members and their sales and service networks by bringing them together to expand domestic and international sales and marketing opportunities, support access to waterways, explore new technology and business solutions, and ensure a sustainable future for the recreational marine community. As

the largest producer of boat and sport shows in the U.S., NMMA connects the recreational boating industry with the boating consumer year-round. Learn more at www.nmma.org. 

MarineShift360 has launched the Impact Accelerator Programme, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to empower businesses to scale innovative sustainability projects. By addressing common barriers such as time, resources, and budget, the programme supports companies in turning ideas into impactful actions.

What participants gain:

• Free consultancy with marine sustainability experts to maximise project potential.
• Enhanced support in leveraging the MarineShift360 LCA tool for data-driven decisions.
• A funded 12-week internship to bring fresh capacity and new perspectives.
• Access to a collaborative network of industry leaders driving sustainability progress.

Who should apply:
The programme is looking for companies tackling major challenges in the marine industry, including:

• Developing sustainable materials.
• Creating zero-emission vessels.
• Innovating circular manufacturing methods.

Key dates:

• Applications close: 31 December 2024
• Selected projects begin: 1 February 2025

Learn more and apply here.

EBI sustaining member TransEurope Marinas has launched a training bursary programme to support professional development within its marina network. Recognising challenges such as workforce retention and an ageing industry, the initiative aims to empower marina staff through access to Global Marina Institute (GMI) courses, including the Advanced Marina Management (AMM) certification.

Two candidates from Emsworth Yacht Harbour and Cowes Yacht Haven attended the most recent AMM course in Athens. Participants praised the programme for its insightful lectures, practical marina visits, and valuable networking opportunities.

Maarten Desloovere, Chair of TransEurope Marinas, highlighted the importance of the initiative: “By investing in training, TransEurope Marinas can help marinas retain top talent and drive innovation in the marina sector. The knowledge gained translates directly into operational improvements and enhanced customer service.”

In 2025, TransEurope Marinas will extend the bursary to support four more candidates. For more information about the programme and GMI courses, visit the Global Marina Institute website.

The Italian Ministry of Enterprises and “Made in Italy” has established a €3 million fund to encourage the replacement of fossil fuel-powered marine engines with electric propulsion systems. This initiative, strongly advocated by Confindustria Nautica, aims to support the ecological transition within the boating sector.

Beneficiaries can apply for grants covering up to 50% of eligible expenses, with maximum contributions of €8,000 for individuals and €50,000 for companies. The fund supports the purchase of up to two electric motors for personal use and multiple motors for commercial, sporting, or social boating activities. Specific grants include €2,000 for outboard electric motors with integrated batteries (0.5 kW to 12 kW) and €10,000 for outboard motors with external batteries, inboard, sterndrive, or pod propulsion systems.

To read the full article, click here.

The Italian government has published its long-awaited regulatory framework to implement the updated nautical code, introducing several innovations for the sector. Key highlights include simplified yacht registration processes, modernised safety equipment standards, and the introduction of a restricted boating license for 16-year-olds.

The reforms also address superyacht safety, refitting exemptions, and support for sustainable practices in port areas.

For more information, read here.

The Irish Department of Transport has released the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft. This comprehensive resource provides safety advice, operational guidance, and legislative requirements for recreational craft operating in Irish coastal and inland waters.

The Code covers a wide range of craft, including sailing boats, rowing boats, kayaks, personal watercraft, motorboats, and stand-up paddleboards used for navigation. It features detailed safety checklists under the “Think and Prepare” approach, encouraging users to plan their trips, ensure proper training, and carry necessary safety equipment.

The Code includes legislative requirements, best practice guidelines for specific types of craft, and appendices addressing radiocommunications, weather, lifejacket guidance, and emergency procedures.

The Code of Practice is available free of charge in English and Irish and can be downloaded here.