EU Unveils Maritime And Port Strategy To Boost Competitiveness

Strengthening The Maritime Industrial Base

The European Commission has presented a Maritime Industrial Strategy designed to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of Europe’s maritime sector. The initiative targets key areas of the industry and aims to reinforce the EU’s technological and industrial capacity in shipping, shipbuilding and port operations.

Innovating For A Future-Ready Industry

The strategy focuses on major segments of the maritime economy, including shipping, ports and shipbuilding. Plans include the creation of a European alliance for maritime industries, support for advanced shipbuilding projects and the development of specialized vessels for emerging sectors such as offshore wind.

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New technologies are also part of the agenda. The Commission highlighted future development of equipment for ports and shipyards as well as innovations such as unmanned underwater vehicles and advanced maritime systems.

Investing In Research And Digital Transformation

Research and innovation will play a central role in the strategy. Under the Horizon Europe framework, the “Shipyards of the Future” initiative will test new technologies in operational shipyards.

Regulatory adjustments are also under consideration. The Commission plans to simplify certain rules affecting the maritime industry and improve the attractiveness of European shipping flags. Proposed changes to the EU Emissions Trading System are intended to support investment while advancing the decarbonisation of the EU fleet and encouraging digitalisation across shipyards.

Revitalising European Port Infrastructure

Alongside the maritime strategy, the Commission introduced a separate framework aimed at strengthening Europe’s ports. Ports play a central role in the EU economy, handling around 74% of the bloc’s external trade and supporting millions of passenger movements each year. Key priorities include digitalisation of port operations, stronger connections with European transport networks and updated guidelines concerning foreign ownership of port infrastructure.

Enhancing Security And Dual-Use Capabilities

The strategies also address security considerations linked to maritime industries. European shipyards and equipment manufacturers may receive additional support through export financing tools and targeted trade policies. Workforce development is another focus area. Training initiatives are expected to help shipbuilders and seafarers adapt to new technologies and environmental standards as the industry evolves.

A Strategic Roadmap For The Future

Implementation of the strategy will involve the creation of a high-level Maritime and Ports Council to guide coordination between industry and policymakers. The initiative forms part of broader EU efforts to strengthen competitiveness while supporting sustainable maritime transport and industrial development.

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Passkeys Are The Gold Standard For Account Security. So Why Don’t More Major Apps Offer Them?

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 25, 2026

Passkeys are increasingly being promoted as one of the most effective ways to protect online accounts. By reducing reliance on passwords, they help prevent phishing attacks, simplify sign-ins and strengthen account security. Despite those advantages, however, many major digital platforms have yet to adopt the technology.

A Security Upgrade Still Missing At Scale

That gap is the focus of whynopasskeys.com, a new site created by security researcher Scott Helme to highlight companies that have not yet enabled passkeys for their users. The site tracks major consumer brands that continue to rely on older login methods even as passkeys become the industry standard.

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Among the services still without passkey support are Instagram, Netflix and Spotify, according to the site’s data.

Why Passkeys Matter

Unlike traditional passwords, passkeys are generated on a user’s device and linked both to that device and to a specific website or application. Authentication can be completed through biometrics such as Face ID or Touch ID, a hardware security key or a password manager.

Because users do not need to create or remember passwords, opportunities for credential theft, phishing attacks and password reuse are significantly reduced. In most cases, gaining access to an account would require direct access to the user’s device.

Public Accountability As A Pressure Tactic

In a blog post explaining the project, Helme said the goal is to create pressure by making the absence of passkey support visible. “A list is a surprisingly effective motivator. Nobody wants to be on the list,” he wrote.

That approach has already worked elsewhere in cybersecurity: when businesses are publicly compared against peers on basic protections, they often move faster to close the gap. In this case, the list is intended to push platforms to give users a stronger and simpler login option.

The Companies Moving Faster

Many large technology companies have already adopted passkeys, including Apple, Google and Microsoft, reflecting the technology’s growing role in account security.

Implementation, however, remains uneven. Instagram users can currently access passkeys only when their account is linked to a Facebook account that already has passkey support enabled, highlighting differences in adoption even within the same company.

The Bigger Business Question

Meta has not publicly explained why passkeys are available on some of its platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, but not fully across Instagram.

Debate within the industry is no longer centred on whether passkeys work, but on how quickly companies are willing to deploy them. As phishing, credential theft and account fraud remain persistent cybersecurity challenges, passkeys are increasingly being viewed not as an optional feature but as an emerging security standard.

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