Technology Leadership can only be achieved and sustained when RD&I, upscaling and deployment are addressed from an ecosystem perspective and through a close interaction between its different actors. To remain a global frontrunner, Europe depends on the resilience and performance of an interconnected ecosystem.

The Waterborne Technology Roadmaps address the full innovation chain, from research to deployment and contribute to the objectives of the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and EU Ports Strategy. They focus on accelerating the uptake of innovative solutions, bridging the “valley of death” and supporting technologies in becoming commercially viable and deployable at scale.

Together, the Technology Roadmaps provide a shared perspective on the technological needs and opportunities across the waterborne sector, supporting Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and sustainability while strengthening its position in global markets.

Nine Technology Roadmaps have been developed across key segments of the European waterborne sector

Inland Waterway Transport

This roadmap operationalises the Technology Leadership framework for the inland waterway transport sector. It translates the overarching objectives, including competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, zero-emission operations, digitalisation, safety and security, human-centred innovation, standards, skills and deployment at scale, into the specific conditions of inland waterway transport. It reflects the Technology Leadership document’s ecosystem approach, linking shipowners, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, ports, energy, infrastructure and service providers, classification societies, financial institutions, authorities, research organisations and logistics users into a coordinated deployment pathway.

The roadmap on inland waterway transport is closely interlinked with the following dedicated Technology Roadmaps: maritime technology sector, port ecosystems, and blue economy.

Uploaded: 29 Sep 2026

Ferries

This roadmap operationalises the Technology Leadership framework for the ferry sector. It translates the overarching objectives, including competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, zero-emission operations, digitalisation, safety and security, human-centred innovation, standards, skills and deployment at scale, into the specific conditions of ferries. It reflects the Technology Leadership document’s ecosystem approach, linking shipowners, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, ports, energy, infrastructure and service providers, classification societies, financial institutions, authorities, research organisations and logistics users into a coordinated deployment pathway.

The roadmap on ferries is closely interlinked with the following dedicated Technology Roadmaps: maritime technology sector, port ecosystems, inland waterway transport and short sea shipping.

Uploaded: 28 Sep 2026

Short Sea Shipping

This roadmap operationalises the Technology Leadership framework for the short sea shipping sector. It translates the overarching objectives, including competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, zero-emission operations, digitalisation, safety and security, human-centred innovation, standards, skills and deployment at scale, into the specific conditions of short sea shipping. It reflects the Technology Leadership document’s ecosystem approach, linking shipowners, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, ports, energy, infrastructure and service providers, classification societies, financial institutions, authorities, research organisations and logistics users into a coordinated deployment pathway.

The roadmap on short sea shipping is closely interlinked with the following dedicated Technology Roadmaps: maritime technology sector, port ecosystems, and ferry sector.

Uploaded: 27 Sep 2026

Cruise sector

This roadmap operationalises the Technology Leadership framework for the cruise sector. It translates the overarching objectives, including competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, zero-emission operations, digitalisation, safety and security, human-centred innovation, standards, skills and deployment at scale, into the specific conditions of the cruise sector. It reflects the Technology Leadership document’s ecosystem approach, linking shipowners, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, ports, energy, infrastructure and service providers, classification societies, financial institutions, authorities, research organisations and logistics users into a coordinated deployment pathway.

The roadmap on the cruise sector is closely interlinked with the following dedicated Technology Roadmaps: maritime technology sector, port ecosystems and blue economy.

Uploaded: 26 Sep 2026

Offshore Vessels

This roadmap operationalises the Technology Leadership framework for offshore vessels. It translates the overarching objectives, including competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, zero-emission operations, digitalisation, safety and security, human-centred innovation, standards, skills and deployment at scale, into the specific conditions of offshore vessels. It reflects the Technology Leadership document’s ecosystem approach, linking shipowners, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, ports, energy, infrastructure and service providers, classification societies, financial institutions, authorities, research organisations and logistics users into a coordinated deployment pathway.

The roadmap on offshore vessels is closely interlinked with the following dedicated Technology Roadmaps: maritime technology sector, port ecosystems and blue economy.

Uploaded: 25 Sep 2026

Port Ecosystems

This roadmap operationalises the Technology Leadership framework for port ecosystems. It translates the overarching objectives, including competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, zero-emission operations, digitalisation, safety and security, human-centred innovation, standards, skills and deployment at scale, into the specific conditions of port ecosystems. It reflects the Technology Leadership document’s ecosystem approach, linking shipowners, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, ports, energy, infrastructure and service providers, classification societies, financial institutions, authorities, research organisations and logistics users into a coordinated deployment pathway.

The Roadmap on port ecosystems is closely interlinked with the following dedicated Technology Roadmaps: maritime technology sector, inland waterway transport, short sea shipping, ferries, cruise, oceangoing, offshore and blue economy.

Uploaded: 24 Sep 2026

Blue Economy

This roadmap operationalises the Technology Leadership framework for Blue Economy. It translates the overarching objectives, including competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, zero-emission operations, digitalisation, safety and security, human-centred innovation, standards, skills and deployment at scale, into the specific conditions of the Blue Economy. It reflects the Technology Leadership document’s ecosystem approach, linking shipowners, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, ports, energy, infrastructure and service providers, classification societies, financial institutions, authorities, research organisations and logistics users into a coordinated deployment pathway.

The roadmap on Blue Economy is closely interlinked with the following dedicated Technology Roadmaps: maritime technology sector, inland waterway transport and port ecosystems.

Uploaded: 23 Sep 2026

Maritime Technology

This roadmap operationalises the Technology Leadership framework for the maritime technology sector. It translates the overarching objectives, including competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, zero-emission operations, digitalisation, safety and security, human-centred innovation, standards, skills and deployment at scale, into the specific conditions of the maritime technology sector. It reflects the Technology Leadership document’s ecosystem approach, linking shipowners, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, ports, energy, infrastructure and service providers, classification societies, financial institutions, authorities, research organisations and logistics users into a coordinated deployment pathway.

The roadmap on the maritime technology sector is closely interlinked with the following dedicated Technology Roadmaps: port ecosystems, inland waterway transport, short sea shipping, ferries, cruise, ocean-going shipping, offshore vessels and blue economy.

Uploaded: 22 Sep 2026

Ocean-going Shipping

This roadmap operationalises the Technology Leadership framework for ocean-going shipping. It translates the overarching objectives, including competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, zero-emission operations, digitalisation, safety and security, human-centred innovation, standards, skills and deployment at scale, into the specific conditions of ocean-going shipping. It reflects the Technology Leadership document’s ecosystem approach, linking shipowners, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, ports, energy, infrastructure and service providers, classification societies, financial institutions, authorities, research
organisations and logistics users into a coordinated deployment pathway.

The Roadmap on ocean-going shipping is closely interlinked with the following dedicated Technology Roadmaps: maritime technology sector and port ecosystems.

Uploaded: 21 Sep 2026