EBI has submitted its response to the EU Skills Portability Initiative, highlighting the urgent need for improved mutual recognition of professional skipper qualifications for small commercial vessels under 24 metres. Nautical tourism is a key pillar of the EU Blue Economy, generating up to 280,000 jobs and €45 billion annually, yet fragmentation in qualification recognition continues to hinder labour mobility and the functioning of the Single Market.

EBI underlines that current recognition procedures are often lengthy, unpredictable and effectively require requalification, creating significant barriers in a highly seasonal and SME-driven sector. Building on existing EU-funded projects that have already identified common core curricula for skipper training, EBI calls for a structured, proportionate and SME-friendly EU framework to ensure transparent and effective mutual recognition across Member States.

Read the full position paper on the EBI website.