The Green Deal’s regulations have been amended. New development opportunities are emerging in the nautical industry, which must be capitalised upon without the looming threat of zero-emissions regulations
by Francesco Michienzi
After witnessing the intense regulatory and financial race since the end of 2019 towards the European Union’s coveted climate-neutrality goal, embodied in the so-called Green Deal, should we now prepare ourselves for the War Deal? Reading the statements made by European Council President Charles Michel, it would seem so. Years of round tables, debates and conferences on sustainability have been swept away in a matter of minutes. Following the automotive industry’s collapse on the European continent, there was a risk of a similar fate for the nautical industry.
Fortunately, common sense has kicked in. European Commission President von der Leyen has presented a package of measures that will also enable the production of engines powered by biofuels or synthetic fuels. The revision of the CO₂ emissions regulation will be officially announced. The thresholds will be lowered from the original 100% to 90% starting in 2035. This emissions threshold will allow combustion engines to continue operating beyond that date.
During the transition period, costs may increase to adapt to the new objectives of EU regulations, and sales of some traditional units may slow.
This represents a significant shift in policy for Brussels, which has yielded to pressure from car manufacturers who have long opposed overly stringent European rules, considering them a real obstacle to competing on equal terms with US and, above all, Chinese industries. The principle of so-called technological neutrality has been established, meaning the possibility of using not only electric power, which has been the Commission’s sole option so far, but also other technologies, such as hybrid, hydrogen, biofuels, and synthetics, which can contribute to decarbonisation. We have always known that no definitive solution in recreational boating has been found to reduce CO₂ emissions to zero, but we turned a blind eye while waiting for the rules to change. In July 2023, I wrote: “The nautical industry is a global sector that requires global rules; any alternative would produce a particularly chaotic mosaic of CO₂ reduction regimes. I realise I am going against the grain, but I would like to see an in-depth debate on the environmental impact of recreational boating. Preferably not ideological, but realistic and more scientific, based on real studies and data, which would push legislators in the right direction”.
The changes introduced are good news and will allow us to face the medium term with a minimum of serenity. However, the Italian nautical industry must continue to consider the actions to be taken. It is advisable to conduct an energy audit of the fleet and facilities to define priorities for action. A plan should be drawn up for the gradual integration of electrification/hybrids, and retrofitting should be considered where convenient. Regional/EU calls for tenders for infrastructure and scrapping incentives should be monitored. Staff should be trained on battery management, safety and the installation of alternative systems. The effects could boost demand for boats, in which case, more electric charging points for boats, hydrogen or biofuel systems, energy storage and waste management will be needed.
In the context of the Green Deal, it is essential to consider risks and critical issues. These include resource availability, battery and alternative fuel costs, end-of-life management of batteries and composites, and the need for standardisation and interoperability of charging infrastructure.
Port facilities will have to invest in oil and sewage collection systems and anti-pollution systems. Finally, new safety and control standards will be required for on-board electrical systems and charging stations. The majority of Italian policy is not focused on gathering requests from the production sectors and proposing appropriate tools. During the transition period, it is inevitable that compliance costs will increase and sales of traditional units may be affected. To mitigate the costs of renewal for hybridisation, electrification, and port infrastructure, the use of public incentives and EU funds is recommended.
We already know that there will be a proliferation of conferences and debates, which will mainly serve to give visibility to participants rather than identify concrete tools. In recent years, we have seen too much uncertainty and too many sudden changes. What is needed is a truly medium- to long-term strategy and vision, which are the only things that will enable investors, businesses, and consumers to approach the new cycle of European institutions with confidence. Returning to the initial question, Green Deal or War Deal? I would suggest opting for a Nautical Deal, where boats, their production process, their use, and the values they represent help everyone live a more peaceful life.
(Regulations revised – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, February 2026)
