Search results for: 2026

The blue innovation dock (bid) will be presented at boot Düsseldorf from 17 to 25 January 2026 as the leading European platform for political decision-makers, industry, innovators and water sports enthusiasts to shape the future of the maritime industry. Jointly organised by boot Düsseldorf and the European Boating Industry (EBI), bid will once again bring high-level political engagement, cutting-edge technology and forward-looking discussions to Hall 10, reflecting the growing strategic importance of the sector within Europe's climate, industry and tourism policies.

Building on the great success of last year's edition, the 2026 program will focus on the important and far-reaching issues in the water sports industry. Key topics include sustainability and decarbonization, innovations in marinas and nautical tourism, circular materials and composite recycling, design and retrofitting, digitalization and AI, as well as high-performance and competitive sailing. A mix of panel discussions, keynotes, interviews and innovation presentations will showcase how industry, academia, politics and the next generation of changemakers are working together to create a sustainable, competitive and future-proof #MadeInEurope sector.

boot Düsseldorf's commitment to innovation is underpinned by its strategic partners and sponsors, whose involvement further expands the international reach and impact of the blue innovation dock. This year's main partners are the Beneteau Group, Brunswick Corporation and San Lorenzo. Industry leaders and technology pioneers will once again support the events throughout the 9 days of boot Düsseldorf, highlighting advances in sustainable propulsion, materials research, digital solutions and marina development. Their support helps to create a unique environment in which the transformation of the industry becomes visible, accessible and actionable.

The 2026 edition of the bid offers a wide-ranging presentation platform for an exceptional line-up of speakers from EU institutions, industry, academia and sport. High-level political participants include Members of the European Parliament Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann and Andreas Schwab, representatives of the European Commission, including the Head of the Tourism Sector, Andreea Staicu, and senior national politicians. The opening address will be given by David Foulkes, CEO of Brunswick Corporation, who will be interviewed on stage by Marcus Krall.

Other expected speakers include Dr. Prof. Phil Klaus (International University of Monaco), Prof. Felix Leach (University of Oxford), Lea Jordan (travel and hospitality industry) and Julia Minici (Afterwind). The B2C programme will feature influential personalities and marine activists such as Emily Penn, Lukas Haitzmann, Boris Herrmann and André Wirsig, as well as leading organisations such as SailGP and GEOMAR, which stand out for their impressive storytelling, marine expertise and commitment.

"The blue innovation dock is the established presentation and networking platform for the maritime industry. It shows that boot brings together all the trades responsible for a functioning economy and an agile water sports industry at one time and in one place. This is where demands on European politics are manifested, visions are presented and exciting technologies are showcased. We can look forward to nine days of intensive knowledge and expertise transfer in Hall 10", says boot Director Petros Michelidakis.

EBI President Robert Marx adds: "The blue innovation dock has become a strategic platform where the most important discussions in our industry take place. Together with boot Düsseldorf, we are strengthening the bridge between industry and politics and helping to lead the European boat industry on a more sustainable, competitive and future-proof path. This collaboration enables us to showcase innovations, strengthen the industry's priorities at European level and ensure that the voices of businesses, marinas, manufacturers, water sports enthusiasts and environmental leaders are heard. By bringing all these players together under one roof, we are shaping concrete solutions that will shape the development of the boating ecosystem for years to come."

The blue innovation dock 2026 program will be published in early December at www.boot.com.

Brussels, 5 November 2025 – European Boating Industry (EBI) welcomes the European Commission’s Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) released today as a groundbreaking moment for Europe’s boating industry. For the first time ever, recreational craft are explicitly included in the EU’s transport investment strategy — marking a historic milestone that recognises the sector’s importance in Europe’s green transition and maritime industry. It comes after continued EBI engagement with the EU Commission on the importance of alternative fuel and infrastructure for the boating industry over the last year. This milestone also represents an important achievement in EBI’s Manifesto for this EU mandate.

The STIP states “Similarly to the maritime sector, a broad set of possible alternatives to fossil fuels are being considered for […] for recreational craft.” It adds that “[…] recreational craft experience a low pace of penetration of new vessels […]. With no mandatory targets in place, at least 90% of vessels (…] may progressively be replaced by renewable drop-in fuels.”

The key takeaways for the boating industry are:

• First-ever recognition of recreational craft - The Plan explicitly includes recreational craft in the EU’s transport investment plan — acknowledging their unique challenges and innovation potential in adopting clean propulsion, electrification, and a wide scope of renewable fuels from e-fuels to hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO), green methanol and hydrogen rather than a single pathway.[1]

• New EU funding and investment opportunities - The Plan mobilises €2.9 billion in EU support by 2027 and aims to leverage over €100 billion in total investment by 2035, with clear openings for projects in sustainable fuels, electric and hybrid technologies, and marina infrastructure.[2

• Support for sustainable fuels and infrastructure in marinas - The Commission will explore certification schemes, fuel traceability, and book-and-claim systems to support smaller operators and promote renewable fuels across all vessel types — a vital step for the industry’s decarbonisation roadmap.[3]

Philip Easthill, Secretary-General of EBI, said: “For the first time, recreational boating is part of the EU’s waterborne decarbonisation strategy. It shows that our sector is being heard and recognised as a relevant contributor to Europe’s green transition with a technology-neutral decarbonisation pathway and necessary focus on the existing fleet and sustainable fuels. This recognition puts the recreational boating sector firmly on the map of support by the EU in the years ahead. It sends a clear signal that sustainability in fuels and propulsion system as well as infrastructure in marinas is a key part of Europe’s industrial strategies.”

Building on this momentum, EBI will continue to work closely with the European Commission and Member States to ensure that the boating sector fully benefits from initiatives coming out of the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, the upcoming EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and Sustainable Tourism Strategy, both expected in 2026. These frameworks will be essential to advance clean technologies, develop sustainable marina infrastructure to have a comprehensive framework for decarbonisation and strengthen Europe’s leadership in sustainability and innovation.

[1] pp. 7–8.

[2] pp. 8–9.

[3] pp. 15–16.

Palma/Brussels, 27 October 2025 - Yachting Ventures (YV) and European Boating Industry (EBI) are once again joining forces to deliver an expanded Startup x Investor Day at boot Düsseldorf 2026, taking place on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, at the Blue Innovation Dock.

Building on the momentum of the previous 3 years of this collaboration, the event has grown into a must-attend gathering for startups and investors in leisure marine. Designed to spark collaboration, fuel innovation, and unlock investment opportunities, it offers a powerful platform for founders to meet investors face-to-face in a dynamic, open environment.

What to expect from the Startup x Investor Day

The day will open with a visionary keynote from Karl Birgir Björnsson, CEO and Co-founder of Hefring Marine and longstanding Yachting Ventures community member, who will share insights from his fundraising journey. Based in Iceland, Hefring Marine completed a funding round in May 2024, raising €2.2 million in a Series A round led by Faber Ventures.

The Startup x Investor Day agenda will also feature:

• A pitch competition, where selected startups will showcase their innovations to a panel of investors.
• Reverse pitches, where investors share what they’re looking for, offering startups an invaluable perspective on how to attract funding.
• A founder–investor panel discussion, highlighting the realities of fundraising and growth in the marine sector.
• And finally, a Happy Hour networking session, providing a relaxed space for founders and investors to continue the conversation over drinks.

“Our Startup x Investor Day is all about breaking down barriers between founders and investors,” said Gabbi Richardson, founder of Yachting Ventures. “We’re building an open, community-driven space where startups can do more than just pitch — they can gain real insight into what investors are looking for. Our goal is for every founder to leave with genuine, lasting connections that help them grow.”

Philip Easthill, Secretary-General of EBI says: “Innovation and entrepreneurship are at the heart of Europe’s boating sector. Through our collaboration with Yachting Ventures for the Blue Innovation Dock at boot Düsseldorf, we aim to connect visionary founders with investors who can help turn their ideas into sustainable growth. The Startup x Investor Day has become a key moment at BID to highlight how the industry is evolving towards a more innovative and sustainable future.”

Pitch Competition Applications

Five startups will be selected to present their products and solutions to a panel of experienced investors and industry experts, evaluated on uniqueness, market potential, scalability, and sustainability impact.

The competition is an invaluable opportunity for startups seeking funding to pitch their ideas at the largest yacht and watersports show in the world. The show typically receives around 200,000 visitors from 120 countries and has more than 1,500 exhibitors from 67 nations.

The winning startup will receive a free stand at boot Düsseldorf in 2027, which will help them to gain traction and increase brand awareness. There will also be other exciting benefits including significant media coverage across both the Yachting Ventures, EBI and boot Düsseldorf media channels.

Applications open 27th October 2025 and close 4 December 2025. Interested startups can apply here or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

The EU Commission presented the Pact for the Mediterranean, a new framework to deepen cooperation with countries in the Southern Neighbourhood and create a “Common Mediterranean Space”. The initiative brings together more than 100 actions grouped under three main pillars: People, Economy, and Security. It aims to strengthen regional partnerships through long-term investment, policy coordination and joint governance with Mediterranean partners.

The Pact’s economic pillar focuses on sustainable growth, energy transition and connectivity. A central element is the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech (T-MED) programme, which will support investment in renewable energy generation, grids and clean technology manufacturing. The initiative includes cooperation on certification systems for cross-border renewable electricity and hydrogen, as well as industrial collaboration on energy value chains and related skills development.

Several measures are also foreseen to support a sustainable blue economy, including the creation of a Community of Practice for the EU Blue Economy and reinforced coordination through the Blue Mediterranean Partnership and BlueInvest. The Pact highlights the need for coherent maritime spatial planning to ensure sustainable and balanced use of marine areas across the region. It also commits to scaling up Technical and Vocational Education and Training by aligning programmes with labour-market needs in sectors of mutual interest, explicitly including innovative tourism; complementary measures include enhanced mobility under Erasmus+ and Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions and a MED Skill Tracker to document competences.

Digital and transport connectivity form another major component. The Pact proposes investments in subsea cables, trusted 5G and data infrastructure to improve secure digital links between the EU and Mediterranean partners. It also promotes low- and zero-emission fuels in maritime transport, better port and multimodal connections, and progress towards extending the TEN-T network to Southern partner countries.

The Pact will be implemented through joint EU–Euro-Mediterranean governance, supported by the Union for the Mediterranean. Political endorsement is expected in November 2025, followed by a detailed action plan in early 2026 setting out implementation and monitoring mechanisms.

The 2026 edition of the ‘ocean tribute’ Award, organised by boot Düsseldorf and the German Ocean Foundation, will be presented during the Blue Innovation Dock at boot Düsseldorf in January 2026. Since its launch in 2017, the award has become a recognised international honour for initiatives that protect oceans, lakes and rivers through innovation, research, education or campaigns to reduce pollution.

Applications for the 2026 award have now closed. Submissions will first undergo a technical evaluation by the full jury. The panel includes meteorologist and maritime ambassador Monika Breuch-Moritz; Professor Michael Orbach, anthropologist and maritime policy advisor; Professor Hartmut Graßl, Chairman of the Association of German Scientists; Marius Berlemann, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Düsseldorf; Robert Marx, President of the European Boating Industry and boot Düsseldorf; Shamim Wasii Nyanda, environmentalist and founder of the Doors of Hope Foundation in Tanzania; and Leonie Beck, open water swimmer, multiple world and European champion and Olympian.

After the jury’s evaluation, public voting will open in November 2025. The three finalists will be presented during boot Düsseldorf, and the winner will be announced in a ceremony on the Blue Innovation Dock stage.

Read the full press release here.

On 30 September, EBI took part in the expert workshop on the Electrification of Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM), Two-Wheelers and Recreational Craft in Brussels. The event, hosted by ifeu, TU Graz, FVT and ICCT, brought together EU institutions, industry associations and NGOs to discuss interim results of the eNRMM study commissioned by the German Environment Agency (UBA). 

The study highlights both the opportunities and challenges of decarbonising recreational craft. While electrification offers clear benefits in terms of efficiency and emissions reduction, feasibility depends on vessel size, power requirements and infrastructure availability. Smaller craft already show high electrification potential, whereas larger boats will continue to face technical and operational barriers. 

For the boating industry, the workshop provided valuable insights into the regulatory options being considered, ranging from fleet standards to quota systems. EBI emphasised the need for realistic pathways that recognise the diversity of the sector, ensure safety, and take into account the significant investments required by manufacturers. 

The findings will feed into the development of policy options for the study. Final results of the eNRMM project are expected in 2026. For more information, please contact EBI (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has announced that its Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will open a consultation in spring 2026 on its draft opinion regarding the proposed EU-wide restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The consultation will follow SEAC’s March 2026 meeting and remain open for 60 days.

The process will focus on socio-economic impacts of restricting PFAS, including the availability and feasibility of alternatives across sectors. Risk aspects are being assessed separately by ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment. The consultation will take place through a structured online survey, with all interested stakeholders — including industry, NGOs, researchers and the public — invited to provide input.

To support stakeholders, ECHA will hold an online information session on 30 October 2025 and publish consultation guidelines. SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion by the end of 2026, after which the EU Commission and Member States will decide on a potential restriction.

The restriction proposal was originally submitted by authorities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, with the aim of reducing PFAS emissions and ensuring safer products and processes.

Find more information about the announcement here and an in-depth analysis of the process from our previous newsletter here.

As part of a high-level dialogue meeting with EU Maritime Commissioner Kostas Cadis, EBI was invited as the representative of the boating sector, to present the industry's perspective on maritime spatial planning and the EU's Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning.

The Commissioner highlighted that the aim is to simplify EU rules and that more integrated action is needed, as well as aligning with decarbonisation priorities. For this purpose, the Directive will be developed into the Ocean Act as one of the commitments of the European Ocean Pact to unify and modernise the legislation. From the meeting, Commissioner Cadis took away the need for stakeholder engagement, strategic approaches, climate and biodiversity inclusion, regional and cross-border collaboration, and integration with offshore renewables.

EBI Secretary-General Philip Easthill highlighted three major points for the boating industry:

1. Access to the sea for citizens has to be a primary objective, which boating and watersports actively supports 
2. Recreational, sporting activities and marinas should receive higher attention in the legislation and national plans 
3. Maritime spatial plans should be used for positive forward strategic planning for all sectors and address missing links and infrastructure needs

Participating at the meeting were representatives of other blue economy sectors and NGOs. The meeting with stakeholders will feed into an implementation report due in 2026 and the future development of the Oceans Act. EBI will continue to be closely involved.

EU ministers responsible for tourism gathered in Warsaw on 24 June for an informal meeting hosted under the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU. Discussions focused on making Europe a safe, competitive and sustainable destination amid shifting global conditions and continued sectoral vulnerabilities.

The meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of the challenges facing the tourism ecosystem, including the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical instability, and the need for environmental and social resilience. Central themes included strengthening common quality standards, supporting lesser-known destinations, and aligning tourism data for more effective destination management.

The ministers also discussed the development of a new EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy, due in 2026. This future strategy aims to update the European Tourism Agenda 2030 and Transition Pathway for Tourism, ensuring alignment with broader EU goals on competitiveness, green transition, and support for small enterprises. The EU Commission is currently collecting input in preparation, through the targeted consultation shared recently with members.

Several member states shared national and regional approaches to tourism management and safety, and reaffirmed the need for coordinated action across the EU. The meeting was also attended by Ukraine, whose participation highlighted efforts to promote resilience and cross-border cooperation.