Green Marine Europe's Green Shipping Industry Day Recap

Held on 24 September in Brussels and co-organised by CirclesOfLife, EcoShipYard and Green Marine Europe, the Green Shipping Industry Day brought together the entire maritime ecosystem around a shared objective: accelerating the environmental transition of maritime transport.

The day opened with a video message from European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, who highlighted the strategic importance of a maritime sector capable of reducing its environmental impacts while strengthening its competitiveness. His message set the tone: the transition is no longer a distant target but a movement that must now be accelerated collectively.

While the morning sessions focused on the shipbuilding industry — its impact-reduction challenges and circularity efforts — the broader sustainability of maritime transport shaped the discussions throughout the event. The programme highlighted the major challenges across the maritime value chain: atmospheric emissions, biodiversity impacts, underwater noise, port management, technological innovation, and compliance with evolving EU regulation.

In this context, the role of Green Marine Europe (GME) emerged as central. Several speakers stressed the importance of a shared framework for environmental improvement, capable of bringing together shipowners, ports, shipyards and public authorities. As Member of the European Parliament Christophe Clergeau emphasised:

“The role of GME and of all project and innovation leaders is to raise awareness among economic actors that there is indeed a possible pathway [towards environmental transition] — and to help them seize it.”

The wrap-up video captures this collective momentum: an industry mobilised, conscious of its responsibilities regarding biodiversity, engaged in close dialogue with scientists and NGOs, and committed to delivering concrete solutions. It also highlights the strategic importance of ports, essential players in any comprehensive environmental approach. The announcement that GME will open its certification framework to ports in 2026 marks a decisive milestone, paving the way for a systemic vision of maritime environmental performance.

This ambition was echoed by Mathieu Bergé, President of Aquitania Ports Link:

“I discovered GME and its ambition to develop this certification to improve maritime transport conditions in Europe. I saw in it an opportunity to engage the ports of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.”

By bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, EU institutions, NGOs and private operators, the Green Shipping Industry Day reaffirmed that maritime sustainability cannot simply be declared: it must be built — collectively — through credible, measurable and shared pathways.

Pictures : Sam Glazier

Video : Elodie Bernollin