As a partner of the EU-funded TwinnedByStars project, EBI participated in two recent co-creation workshops aimed at strengthening maritime and coastal tourism in Europe’s outermost regions. The workshops took place in Martinique (13-14 November, Online) and Faial, Azores (27-28 November), bringing together local businesses, experts, and stakeholders to foster innovative and sustainable solutions for the sector.

The sessions focused on sharing best practices, promoting environmental management, and advancing new collaborative products. Highlights included the ecoRoute project, combining underwater cultural heritage with ecological tourism, and the Atlantic Starlight Charter Experience, a multi-destination sustainable nautical? tourism initiative. Other key themes included business standardisation, acoustic monitoring technology, and the co-design of region-specific training programs to enhance industry development.

These workshops mark a significant step in promoting collaboration between regions and driving sustainable innovation in maritime tourism. If you want to know more about this project, please contact the EBI office or visit the TwinnedByStars website.

On November 13, EBI organised an online webinar to present the results of a groundbreaking study highlighting the environmental advantages of cement co-processing. The study, born out of a cross-industry collaboration involving key sectors utilising composites, demonstrated the significant potential of this innovative approach.

The webinar drew over 40 attendees, reflecting the sector's increasing commitment to sustainable practices. Among the key findings, the study revealed that cement co-processing reduces CO2 emissions by 830 kg per ton compared to traditional incineration methods. This represents a major breakthrough in addressing the end-of-life challenges associated with composites and contributes to advancing circular economy goals.

Beyond the technical insights, the event underscored the industry's readiness to adopt transformative solutions while highlighting the pressing need for regulatory support. The introduction of specific waste codes and enhanced recognition of sustainable practices are essential to facilitate this transition and unlock the full potential of cement co-processing.

For those who missed it, more information and a recording of the webinar can be accessed contacting the EBI office.

From November 2024, the Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans) embarked on a new Joint Action with the title “European Marinas Network”. This was approved by the Management Board of JPI Oceans based on a proposal by EBI and TransEurope Marinas. Co-led by Italy and Greece, this initiative will develop a Knowledge Hub for and with marinas. The primary aim is to create essential infrastructure for marine monitoring and data collection, reinforcing the role of marinas as key players in ocean stewardship.

Europe boasts approximately 10,000 inland and coastal marinas, each not only a launchpad for boaters and water sport enthusiasts, but also a socio-economic nexus involving visitors, marine enterprises. The Joint Action envisions transforming these marinas into a network of monitoring stations for marine data. By harnessing their strategic locations along coastlines, the initiative seeks to foster citizen involvement and advance marine science, ultimately translating local observations into valuable, large-scale ocean data. It will provide an additional benefit underlining the socio-economic benefits of marinas.

The Knowledge Hub aims to deepen the collective understanding of marine ecosystems to better inform decision-making at both regional and national levels. To achieve this, the Joint Action will:

• Establish a European Marinas Network: Select marinas to participate in coordinated monitoring, ensuring diverse environmental data is collected systematically
• Develop Standardised Monitoring Tools: Provide marinas with low-cost, easy-to-deploy sensor packages that measure critical oceanographic and environmental parameters
• Centralise Data and Analysis: Enable marinas to serve as harmonised data-generating nodes, feeding information into a centralized database for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders
• Enhance Socio-Environmental Insights: Use the network’s comprehensive data collection to better understand conditions in and around marinas, paving the way for informed policy decisions

An international team of experts and institutions underpins this initiative. Researchers and practitioners from Italy, Greece, and Germany - including representatives from the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Kiel University, TransEurope Marinas and EBI - will collaborate to refine the program’s technological tools, data standards, and stakeholder outreach strategies.

Running until approximately December 2028, the European Marinas Network’s work represents an important step toward building a robust, data-driven foundation for marine research, conservation, and sustainable economic activity. For more information or to be involved in the concept development, please contact the EBI Office. More information can also be found on the JPI Oceans website.

The 10th edition of the International Breakfast Meeting, jointly organised by EBI and boot Düsseldorf, will take place on 21 January 2025 during boot Düsseldorf. Celebrating its milestone year, the event will explore the theme “The new generation of customers”, addressing how the boating industry can adapt to evolving consumer trends and engage future generations.

Renowned trendwatcher and futurist Adjiedj Bakas will deliver the keynote speech, reflecting on the changes in consumer behaviour and the opportunities ahead. Industry leaders Brenna D. Preisser (Brunswick Boat Group), Paul Blanc (Groupe Beneteau), and Jörg Müller-Dünow (markenzeichen) will present case studies and insights, followed by a panel discussion.

For its 10th year, the event moves to a new, modern location at the heart of Hall 1 offering participants extended opportunities for networking in an exclusive setting.

• 08:00 – 09:00: Breakfast & Networking (Room 15)
• 09:00 – 10:30: Conference (Room 14)

With attendance limited, we encourage members to register for the event in the following link.

boot Düsseldorf 2025 will host the highly anticipated Blue Innovation Dock (BID), a hub for dialogue between the boating industry, policymakers, and technology leaders. Organised by European Boating Industry (EBI), BID will highlight cutting-edge developments in sustainability and innovation.

Running from 18 to 26 January 2025, the program will feature keynote speakers like Bruno Thivoyon of Beneteau Group, Emily Penn, a renowned marine ambassador, and Luca Bassani of Wally Yachts. Topics such as sustainable practices, the circular economy, digital innovation, and the future of nautical tourism will be discussed on stage by experts of the sector and not only. Special sessions will spotlight start-ups, superyacht design, and ocean conservation efforts, featuring prominent figures such as André Wiersig and Hannes Jaenicke.

More details are available here: Blue Innovation Dock.

The European Tourism Forum, held in Budapest under the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, brought together stakeholders from government, industry, and the private sector to discuss the future of European tourism. The discussions focused on strengthening sustainability, fostering digital transformation, and enhancing competitiveness in the tourism sector. Participants highlighted the need for collaboration between public and private stakeholders to drive innovation and address challenges such as climate change and workforce shortages. The forum underscored tourism’s role as a key driver of Europe’s economy and a vital contributor to recovery efforts across the sector.

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has released a new report exploring the role of synthetic fuels in decarbonising the maritime sector. The study assesses the potential of alternative fuels, including e-methanol, e-ammonia, and hydrogen, to support shipping's transition towards achieving climate neutrality.

The report examines the technical feasibility, production processes, safety considerations, and environmental impacts of synthetic fuels. It also highlights the challenges related to infrastructure, costs, and the regulatory framework required to enable their adoption on a wider scale.

EMSA’s findings offer valuable insights for industry stakeholders seeking sustainable fuel solutions. The report underscores the need for investment in innovation, infrastructure, and regulatory alignment to ensure synthetic fuels contribute effectively to emissions reduction.

To access the full report, visit the EMSA website.

During recent meetings, the heads of government of the regions surrounding Lake Constance intensified their discussions on advancing climate-neutral shipping and boating on  Lake Constance. As part of a broader commitment to sustainable mobility, the state government of Baden-Württemberg, which will hold the chairmanship of the International Lake Constance Conference (IBK) in 2025, is set to commission a new comprehensive report. This study will provide the IBK with guidance on establishing clear parameters for the transition to environmentally friendly maritime operations.

A primary goal of the report will be to identify effective technologies for reducing CO2 emissions in the existing fleet. In addition, it will examine the infrastructure requirements essential for eventually adopting entirely climate-neutral propulsion systems. By analysing both current and future technological solutions, the report aims to chart a realistic pathway from incremental improvements to full-scale climate neutrality

Beyond technical considerations, the report will also highlight the legislative and regulatory frameworks needed to achieve these ambitious targets. Ensuring alignment with national and regional mandates will be critical, as the recommendations will inform how policymakers, stakeholders, and the maritime industry collaborate toward meaningful and enduring environmental progress.

With this initiative, the IBK and the governments involved are signalling their commitment to setting a precedent for sustainable shipping on Europe’s inland waterways. Ultimately, the findings will help shape a long-term vision, ensuring the maritime sector on Lake Constance evolves in harmony with environmental standards for decades to come.

This comes after substantial engagement by the sector, including the German Marine Federation, the Swiss Boatbuilding Association and EBI with the authorities. The key messages were also discussed at a panel discussion during the Interboot trade fair in September (see Newsletter August-September 2024)

With its upcoming edition from 18 to 26 January 2025, boot Düsseldorf is in its best shape. It reflects the international market for sailing boats and motor yachts, surfboards and diving equipment, as well as the technological developments in its industry.

To enable an exchange between experts from business, society and politics, boot Düsseldorf and European Boating Industry (EBI) have been able to attract numerous international experts to the blue innovation dock (bid), powered by Beneteau Group and supported by Sanlorenzo Yachts, in Hall 10. The programme for trade visitors and interested water sports enthusiasts begins on 18 January at 11:00 a.m. with the opening session, at which both German and EU politicians will present the importance of boating and water sports for the economy. Keynote speaker Bruno Thivoyon, CEO of the French Beneteau Group, will present the challenges that boat manufacturers face today with innovative ideas. His topic is ‘Sustainability will only be successful if it improves customer experience’. The subsequent panel will discuss the economic and political priorities for the European Union and the boating industry  until 2030 and formulate clear demands.

On the second day of boot 2025, 19 January, the keynote speaker will be Emily Penn, the marine ambassador known for her empathetic and inspiring appeals to the public. Penn will discuss plans for a sustainable future in a discussion with young professionals in the industry.

On Monday, 20 January, the bid will focus entirely on nautical tourism and marinas. The keynote speaker here is the well-known Swedish professor and researcher Stefan Gössling, whose extensive research work deals with the environmental impacts of tourism and transport. His findings offer valuable perspectives for promoting sustainability in the marina and nautical tourism sectors.

On 21 January, the bid will feature young start-ups. They will pitch to a jury of industry experts and investors and present their innovative developments for implementing sustainability. This will be moderated by Gabbi Richardson, founder of the start-up network Yachting Ventures. boot Director Petros Michelidakis is particularly looking forward to this session and its keynote speaker: “Luca Bassani is a visionary for yacht and industrial design and interior architecture. I am sure that he will inspire the audience with his ideas. And with his company Wally, he is presenting modern and innovative boat design par excellence in hall 6 at boot.”

Wednesday, 22 January, is the day of design, yachts and superyachts at bid. Among others, moderator Marcus Krall will welcome keynote speaker Professor Fernando Fastoso. The Uruguayan-born professor of ‘Management for Luxury and High-Class Brands’ at Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences is investigating the changing luxury market. He will discuss the increasing importance of sustainability in brand development in the luxury sector and show that consumers today are not only looking for exclusivity, but also for products that are ethically and ecologically responsible. The hot topic of foiling will also be a key issue in a panel discussion.

On Thursday 23 January, the speakers of the bid will address the challenges of tomorrow. The keynote speaker is Anna Goldhofer. She will present the importance of the principles of the circular economy in various industries, including boatbuilding. Based on her experience at BMW and CRITICAL FRIENDS, she will present strategies for reducing environmental impact.

The interplay between digitalisation and new technologies will be presented by the Italian engineers Francesco Belvisi and Marco Calatroni, among others, with their project Nugae as keynote speakers on 24 January. Also, on board on Friday is Luca Rizotti, who represents the new technology in water sports with his Foiling Organization. Visitors to boot Düsseldorf can learn more about this innovative technology and its history in Hall 15 at the new ‘Foiling World’.

For committed boaters and water sports enthusiasts, protecting the oceans is high on the agenda. For this reason, boot Düsseldorf and EBI have invited extreme swimmer and ocean ambassador André Wiersig to deliver the keynote address at the panel on Saturday, 25 January. His commitment to protecting the oceans is also exemplified by his initiative theBlueHeart. Wiersig will share his profound experiences and insights with the audience and inspire them to connect with the ocean and work to preserve it. Actor and environmental activist Hannes Jaenicke, and the EU4Ocean Coalition are expected to join the panel discussion afterwards.

The final day of the bid, 26 January, will also be dedicated to water sports enthusiasts. Investigative photographer and author York Hovest will give the keynote speech. He travels the world in search of the most pressing current issues affecting the survival of our world's ecosystems and cultural heritage. For each of his projects, he goes to the most dangerous and inaccessible places on earth to show the whole world what it can no longer afford to ignore. Martin Fischer, head designer of the successful Americas Cup Team Ineos Britannia, will also be there live, sharing his expertise in sailing with the audience.

The blue innovation dock stage will be open daily from 1:00 pm. The current programme is available here.

Tickets for trade and private visitors online in the ticket shop

Tickets for boot 2025 are available online for trade visitors, who already have access to the trade fair and the trade visitor lounge at 9:30 a.m., at a price of €26.00. For private visitors, the cheapest admission ticket costs €19.00 through a membership in boot.club, and is valid for two days of the fair. Children up to and including 12 years of age can visit boot without a ticket together with their parents.