Shipbuilding and maritime equipment are vital to Europe’s economy, climate transition and strategic autonomy. Europe’s shipyards and suppliers support 350,000 direct jobs and many more across the wider value chain—especially in coastal and industrial regions. They build the vessels for offshore wind, clean transport, and naval defence.

But this essential sector is under serious pressure.

Unfair Competition and a Workforce Crisis

Europe’s shipbuilding industry continues to lose ground to heavily subsidised Asian competitors, who benefit from long-term, state-supported industrial strategies. In contrast, the EU’s current horizontal policy approach leaves the sector vulnerable, lacking targeted investment or protection.

At the same time, the sector is facing a looming workforce crisis. Mass retirements by 2030, persistent skills shortages, and unattractive conditions—especially for young people and women—are putting the future of the workforce at risk.

Without a clear strategy to defend and create quality industrial jobs, we risk losing the skills and capacity that make Europe a global maritime leader.

Trade union demands

IndustriAll Europe presented the trade union demands it has laid out in a comprehensive position paper for a robust EU Maritime Industrial Strategy. Key demands include:

• A dedicated industrial policy for shipbuilding and maritime technologies, embedded in the EU Maritime Strategy.
• Including shipbuilding in the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan to develop green infrastructure, build net-zero vessels, and retrofit existing fleets.
• Massive investment in skills, including re- and upskilling for the digital and green transitions.
• Mandatory social conditionalities on all public investment—public money must promote secure, well-paid jobs and uphold workers’ rights.
• Local content requirements in strategic public procurement (e.g. ferries, patrol vessels) to support EU industry and jobs.
• Stronger protections for workers through fair posting, subcontracting due diligence, and cross-border mobility.
• A robust Just Transition framework, ensuring workers are supported through industrial change with access to training and rights.

IndustriAll Europe also expressed serious concern about the Defence Omnibus proposal, which risks removing social and environmental safeguards under the guise of competitiveness. Stripping back standards will not attract workers or strengthen Europe—on the contrary, it will weaken the very foundation of our industrial base.

“This strategy cannot succeed without workers,” said Isabelle Barthès, Deputy General Secretary of industriAll Europe. “We need a maritime industrial strategy that defends our jobs, invests in our skills, and protects our rights. The EU must take responsibility for rebuilding this sector which is of strategic importance for European sovereignty —starting with a clear social framework that puts people at its core.

“We need social conditionality for all public funding, and public money should serve the public good. That said, social conditionality also benefits companies by providing access to a more skilled workforce, boosting internal demand and increasing labour market participation.”

About the Strategic Dialogues

The EU Strategic Dialogues are high-level discussions launched by the European Commission to shape the future of key industrial sectors. They bring together unions, industry, governments and civil society to define policy priorities that support the green and digital transitions while boosting competitiveness and resilience.

IndustriAll Europe will continue to actively participate to ensure that workers’ voices are heard and that Europe’s industrial strategies work for people—not just markets.

Read industriAll Europe’s position paper on the EU Maritime Industrial Strategy: EN FR DE

Contact:
For press enquiries, please contact press@industriall-europe.eu.
For shipbuilding sector enquiries, please contact Aurora Rossi.