Green Marine Europe, a key lever for a sustainable maritime industry

For five years, Surfrider Foundation Europe (SFE) supported Green Marine Europe (GME) in its development to promote more sustainable practices in the European maritime industry. Since January 2025, Green Marine Europe has been part of a consolidated international structure under the aegis of Green Marine International. The association is thus continuing its commitment to the sector's environmental transition.

Based on 11 indicators covering major environmental issues (air, water, soil quality, biodiversity, and climate), the certification has established itself as a structuring tool for participating shipowners and shipyards.

A recent impact measurement conducted in 2024 on a sample of 28 certified companies (including 22 respondents) highlights GME's growing influence on the sustainable strategy of maritime players.

Among the main lessons learned:

• Stronger management of the environmental transition: 90% of companies certified for more than three years consider that the certification has improved the management of their environmental strategy.
• Greater internal commitment: More than 80% of technical/CSR departments believe that GME promotes the recognition and autonomy of the teams involved.
• Strategic communication: For 77% of the managers surveyed, certification is a lever for differentiation and positioning with stakeholders.

In addition to these encouraging results, the study highlights two areas for improvement: strengthening the link between the certification and access to financing for environmental transition and better integrating passenger awareness of shipping companies' environmental commitments.

With more than 70 members - including 35 participants - spread across 10 European countries, Green Marine Europe demonstrates that voluntary, rigorous, transparent, and ambitious certification can structure a sustainable transformation of the maritime sector.

The challenge for the coming years? Strengthen its positioning and provide even more support to players in the European maritime industry towards an effective and measurable environmental transition.