EC Earmarks €2.8bn for 94 Maritime and Inland Waterway Projects under CEF

The European Commission (EC) has approved almost €2.8 billion in grants for 94 key transport projects under its Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), with a strong focus on greening maritime and inland waterway corridors. 

The funding will modernise ports, strengthen shipping resilience and roll out digital traffic management across the trans-European transport network (TEN-T).

CEF grants will subsidise shore-side electricity installations in five Member States - Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Croatia, and Poland - allowing berthed vessels to plug into local power grids rather than run diesel generators. The move is expected to slash greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in port cities.

In the Baltic region, CEF support will underwrite construction and upgrades of multipurpose icebreakers in Estonia, Finland, and Sweden. These vessels will help safeguard vital submarine cable infrastructure from pack ice damage, bolstering both digital connectivity and energy security in Northern Europe.

In France and Spain, grants will deploy advanced traffic-management systems for short-sea shipping routes, optimising vessel scheduling, easing port congestion and enhancing navigational safety. Inland waterway funding includes upgrades to the French stretch of the Rhine and a Belgian initiative to accelerate the digitalisation of waterborne logistics.

“With nearly €2.8 billion in EU funding, we are delivering on Europe’s promise of a modern, sustainable, and resilient transport network,” said Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas. 

“These 94 projects will not only boost cross-border connectivity and efficiency but also boost competitiveness across the continent. From Rail Baltica in the north, to shore-side electricity in our southern ports, and from secure road networks to a smarter Single European Sky – this investment is a cornerstone of our Green Deal and our geopolitical resilience”.

The CEF Committee formally endorsed the shortlist of 94 projects on the 2nd July. The EC will publish the selection decision, after which the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) will negotiate and finalise grant agreements. 

The process is expected to conclude by October 2025, paving the way for construction and deployment of the funded measures.

The chosen projects form part of the TEN-T core network, which the EU views as critical for internal market cohesion and strategic autonomy. By targeting port structures, navigational aids and vessel-to-shore communications, the EC aims to help Europe’s waterways remain competitive, reliable and sustainable.

With the EC’s selection finalised, attention turns to implementation. Ports in beneficiary countries must complete technical studies, secure permits and begin procurement before the end of 2025. 

Marine equipment suppliers and shipowners alike are preparing to retrofit vessels, install onshore power connections and upgrade icebreaking fleets.

Ultimately, the CEF funding package represents a significant step towards the EU’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport by 2050.

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