Poland's EU presidency: setting course for Europe’s maritime future?

At the beginning of 2025, Poland assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union, gaining the opportunity to shape key directions of EU policy. Warsaw's priorities include the maritime economy, shipping safety, and sustainable management of the Baltic Sea’s resources. This is a unique opportunity to inject new momentum into the EU’s maritime strategy – from the modernization of ports and trade routes to the energy transition of the maritime sector. Will Poland use its presidency to strengthen European maritime policy and make the Baltic Sea and other European waters a central part of the EU agenda?

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03 february 2025   |   07:07   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

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The Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union is not only a prestigious commitment but also a real opportunity to strengthen the country's position in shaping maritime policy at the EU level. In the face of growing competition on global trade routes and challenges related to the energy transition, Warsaw aims to focus on increasing innovation in the maritime sector. Key aspects include the development of ports, improvement of infrastructure, and the digitalization of logistics, all of which are expected to enhance the competitiveness of European transport routes.

One of the priorities of the Polish presidency is also ensuring the security of navigation in the Baltic Sea, which holds strategic importance for the EU economy. Poland intends to take measures to improve the coordination of maritime traffic monitoring systems and strengthen response mechanisms for ecological and geopolitical threats. In this context, the development of offshore wind energy and investments in low-emission technologies for shipping also play a crucial role.

To verify the specific actions planned by Poland during its presidency, Gazeta Morska has analyzed government strategies and reached out to various ministries and representatives of the Polish presidency with specific questions. What steps will the Polish government take to fully harness the potential of the maritime economy and strengthen the Baltic’s position on the European map?

Priorities of the Polish Presidency in the area of maritime economy

Transport is a crucial element for the development of EU member states’ economies, ensuring Europe’s security and the well-being of all its citizens. In the field of transport, the Polish Presidency of the EU Council intends to focus on strengthening the resilience of the entire transport sector, including maritime transport, according to representatives of the Polish government in response to questions from "Gazeta Morska."

Another important issue is enhancing the competitiveness of this sector. The Polish representation emphasizes that it is essential for EU regulations to not weaken the position of European transport industry entities, particularly in comparison to companies from third countries.

- That is why the Polish Presidency will provide space for discussions on the security and competitiveness of maritime sector entities, states the response sent to "Daily Mare."

Poland, together with the European Commission, acknowledges that the EU needs a new strategy for a competitive maritime industry, covering all key aspects of the sector’s competitiveness and leading to a strategic position for the EU in the international market. Additionally, actions are necessary to ensure the attractiveness of maritime professions, including those in the shipbuilding industry.

Meeting of EU Maritime Ministers in Szczecin

As part of its presidency, Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure is organizing an informal meeting of EU maritime ministers, scheduled for May 15, 2025, in Szczecin.

- The meeting will provide an opportunity for debate on issues related to the security and competitiveness of maritime industry entities in the global market and possible solutions to be included in the new maritime industry strategy, officials report.

What about green transformation in the maritime sector?

- Poland will support initiatives related to the green transformation of the maritime sector. As the chair of EU member states in work at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Polish Presidency will strive to ensure that global regulatory frameworks, including international convention regulations, are as aligned as possible with solutions already adopted at the EU level. This will both help achieve climate goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships, and ensure fair competition for European shipowners and ports.

Poland safeguarding the competitiveness of eropean ports in the global economy

In the face of growing global tensions and rapid geopolitical changes worldwide, ensuring the security and strategic autonomy of the European Union, including the competitiveness of European maritime ports, is crucial, as Polish Presidency representatives emphasize in their conversation with "Gazeta Morska."

Therefore, as part of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, the Ministry of Infrastructure will host an informal meeting of EU maritime ministers during the 11th edition of the International Maritime Congress in Szczecin. The conference will serve as an excellent opportunity to discuss how to strengthen the competitiveness of European maritime industry and ports. Additionally, a high-level conference titled "A New Era of European Transport – Challenges of TEN-T Policy" is scheduled for February 12-13, 2025, in Łódź. The debate will cover European maritime space, particularly the role and development of maritime ports.

Digitalization of the maritime sector in the European Union

- Digitalization of the maritime sector is crucial for its further development, as it helps streamline the flow of processed information, thereby positively impacting safety in the entire maritime transport sector. During Poland’s Presidency in the EU Council, efforts will continue to implement the European Maritime Single Window environment and to collaborate with the European Commission within established bodies, states the response to "Daily Mare".

Poland and global Rregulations on maritime transport emissions

Poland recognizes its key role in shaping EU policy on marine environmental protection, particularly in reducing maritime transport emissions, as a fundamental aspect of global climate action.

Legislative acts such as the EU ETS Directive and the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which were part of the Fit for 55 package and adopted in 2023, are highly ambitious. EU member states are now focusing on their implementation. According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, it is crucial that the EU’s ambitious policy is reflected in International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations and extends its reach beyond Europe.

The Polish Presidency will actively participate in IMO negotiations, presenting the EU's position on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Cooperation for maritime security and Pprotection of critical infrastructure

Poland intends to actively promote cooperation among EU member states in the field of maritime security, with a particular focus on protecting critical infrastructure at sea.

A key element of these efforts will be strengthening coordination of maritime traffic monitoring systems and developing rapid response mechanisms to environmental and geopolitical threats. The Polish Presidency plans to initiate debates and joint exercises with EU and international partners to increase resilience to potential cyber and physical attacks on strategic facilities such as ports, LNG terminals, and offshore wind farms.

- One of the Presidency’s priorities will be concluding work on adopting the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which will replace Regulation (EC) No. 1406/2002. This project is part of the maritime safety package, officials state.

This regulation will grant EMSA a greater role in supporting member states, particularly in maritime navigation safety, protection and surveillance, and digitalization.

Moreover, Baltic Sentry, an initiative aimed at enhancing security and stability in the Baltic Sea region, will play a crucial role. This program involves close coordination of NATO and EU activities in monitoring maritime activity, protecting critical infrastructure, and responding to hybrid threats.

Polish Presidency – benefits for national ports and the shipbuilding industry?

The European shipbuilding industry has lost significant competitiveness over the past decades, particularly in relation to Asian shipyards. Given growing global tensions and rapid geopolitical changes, the European shipbuilding industry is vital for ensuring EU security and strategic autonomy.

This issue will be discussed during the 11th International Maritime Congress in Szczecin on May 15, 2025, where a Declaration on Maritime Industry Competitiveness will be signed to emphasize the urgency of action at the EU level.

Support for maritime technologies – what’s next for offshore wind farms in the Baltic?

- Funding is already available for offshore wind energy from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (KPO). Under investment G3.1.5 ("Construction of Offshore Wind Farms – Offshore Wind Energy Fund"), loans are available, with a total budget of €4.785 billion (PLN 21.376 billion), states the response to "Daily Mare."

Poland’s Presidency and the development of transport corridors connecting the Baltic to other regions

A strong and reliable transport system is essential for EU market functioning, territorial cohesion, military mobility, and increasing competitiveness in the global economy.

The "New Era of European Transport – Challenges of TEN-T Policy" conference in Łódź on February 12-13, 2025, will serve as a forum for discussing infrastructure resilience and achieving climate goals.

On June 28, 2024, the Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 was published, introducing a new transport corridor: Baltic–Black Sea–Aegean Sea.

Will Poland use Presidency to promote EU funds for Eastern European port development?

Poland’s EU Presidency presents an opportunity to increase financial support for port infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe. However, the challenge will be convincing EU decision-makers to prioritize this area amidst competition from Western European ports and Mediterranean transport corridors.

While Poland is actively promoting projects financed by the EU, no funding agreements for such projects have been signed yet.

Accelerating the green transition in fisheries

The Polish Presidency will also focus on the competitiveness of the EU fishing fleet, ensuring its interests in negotiations at regional fisheries management organizations.

More information can be found here.

polska prezydencja w unii europejskiej polska prezydencja unia europejska gospodarka morska

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