Europe plans to increase offshore wind capacity from 36.6 GW to 84 GW by 2030, but one of the biggest challenges is insufficient investment in shipbuilding and port infrastructure. Additional investment is needed to install at least 10 GW of new capacity each year – and 15 GW per year after 2030. Over the last three years, 6.7 billion EUR has been invested in ports and specialized ships, but another 6.4 billion EUR is needed.
The European Commission is developing an EU Port Strategy, which provides for the mobilization of additional funding, the acceleration of authorization procedures, and unified planning at the EU level. At the same time, a Maritime Industry Strategy is being developed, which aims to strengthen shipbuilding, modernize the fleet to accommodate 15+ MW turbines, and reduce shipping emissions by introducing clean fuels and supporting the construction of zero-emission ships.
These strategies are considered critical for Europe to achieve its offshore wind and energy security goals.
Source: WindEurope, 04.08.2025.