European shipyards, fisheries groups, and maritime manufacturers have urged the European Commission to take swift action to unblock the energy transition for fisheries and aquaculture.
Industry groups met Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis in Brussels on 13 January to discuss the upcoming Roadmap for the Energy Transition of Fisheries. They warned that EU rules, funding limits and weak investment certainty are slowing progress.
The meeting brought together SEA Europe, Europêche, Copa-Cogeca, the European Transport Workers’ Federation and the European Association of Fish Producers’ Organisations.
EU rules blocking cleaner vessels
The groups said current EU rules limit space on board vessels. This makes it hard to install cleaner propulsion systems. Hybrid, electric, and alternative-fuel systems require more space.
They said the rules also block safer designs and better living conditions for crews. This, they warned, makes the sector less attractive to young workers.
Funding gap slows energy transition
The organisations said the energy transition will fail without strong public support. Current EU funding schemes are too small and too strict.
They called for changes to funding rules, a fleet renewal plan, and support for scrapping old vessels. They also asked for financing tools that combine EU and national funds with public guarantees.
Call for fast action, not long reform
The groups said urgent bottlenecks must be removed without waiting for a complete reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
They also asked for more training, better safety and closer cooperation across the value chain. Fisheries and aquaculture, they said, must be part of wider EU maritime energy plans.
The organisations welcomed Commissioner Kadis’ pledge to work closely with the sector.