On 2 December 2025, EBU welcomed more than 100 participants at its annual Inland Waterway Transport event. Hosted by the Austrian Ambassador Franz Wirtenberger, EBU was honored to welcome Simone Ritzek-Seidl, member of the cabinet of Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands, Robert Tieman and MEP Tom Berendsen as key note speakers.

The Inland Waterway & Ports sector calls upon the Commission to include and back inland waterway transport in the upcoming European Maritime/Waterborne Industrial Strategy, the European Port Strategy and the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan.

“Inland waterway transport is already a frontrunner in sustainability, and the sector stands ready to accelerate its transition to zero emissions. Support from the Commission in the forthcoming EU strategies and the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan will be crucial to scaling up its efforts and delivering an even greater impact”, Matthieu Blanc, President of EBU emphasises with the release of the sector’s statement.

43 European transport organisations are advocating for increased EU budget allocation towards clean transport. The transport sector is of strategic importance in responding to Europe’s environmental, geostrategic and capacity challenges. Only with a strong transport sector at its core will Europe be able to reach its climate and resilience goals and safeguard its supply chain sovereignty.