CIMAC has participated in the Connecting Europe Days 2026, the European Commission’s flagship event for transport and mobility. For the maritime sector, many of the discussions focus on a key challenge facing Europe: how to decarbonise shipping while maintaining competitiveness, innovation and global connectivity.
One message stands out clearly: there will not be a single fuel or technology solution for every vessel and every trade. Achieving the sector’s climate goals will require a combination of fuel flexibility, greater energy efficiency and continued technological innovation.
Another recurring theme is the need for predictable and effective regulation. Long-term investments depend on a reliable framework that provides planning certainty for industry. At the same time, shipping remains a global business, making internationally aligned regulation essential.
The discussions also underlined that competitiveness and decarbonization must go hand in hand. Europe continues to benefit from deep maritime expertise and technological know-how. Preserving and strengthening this industrial base will require sustained investment in innovation, both in the technologies used on board ships and in the methods used to design and build them.
Beyond the conference sessions, Connecting Europe Days offered an excellent opportunity to exchange views with policymakers, industry representatives and partners from across the maritime community. There is much to discuss, and even more to deliver.