On 27 January, EBI participated in an online event titled “Electrification workshop: Leisure boats” organised by consulting firm WSP, in conjunction with the EU’s Periscope project and Business Region Göteborg (Sweden).

EBI Secretary-General Philip Easthill explained the EU policy drivers that will contribute to the sustainable transformation of recreational boating, where electrification has an important role to play. This includes the European Green Deal, the Healthy Oceans Mission, the ongoing review of the Recreational Craft Directive, and the Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy (which will be published this year). These policy initiatives, together with EU funding programmes and the EU and national recovery plans, are of utmost importance in the transition towards electrical boating, alternative fuels and other new propulsion systems.

The workshop also included speakers from Arendal municipality (Norway) and Amsterdam municipality, who discussed the role of local authorities in the electrification of boating, as well as speakers from the companies Vita Yachts and Candela, who discussed issues relating to the market for electrical leisure boats. The outcome of the workshop will be summarised and used in a report produced by WSP on behalf of Periscope and Business Region Göteborg.