European Shippers’ Council welcomes the Council of the European Union’s partial agreement on Horizon Europe (2028–2034), the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme, as an important step toward strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and long-term economic sustainability.
ESC strongly supports the programme’s ambition to reinforce scientific excellence and accelerate innovation across strategic sectors that are directly relevant to global supply chains and trade logistics.
ESC particularly welcomes the increased emphasis on collaboration between Member States, industry, and research actors, as well as the stronger alignment between Horizon Europe and the European Competitiveness Fund. A more coherent investment framework is essential to ensure that innovation is effectively translated into real-world applications, including more efficient, sustainable, and digitally enabled transport and logistics systems.
ESC also supports the focus on simplification measures, including reduced administrative burden, streamlined participation rules, and improved access to funding instruments such as partnerships and innovation programmes. These reforms will help ensure that companies involved in supply chains can more easily engage in EU-funded research and innovation activities.
The Council’s recognition of research security, dual-use innovation, and strategic technologies is also important. Supply chain resilience depends increasingly on secure, data-driven, and technologically advanced infrastructure, including digital freight corridors, energy-efficient transport systems, and interoperable cross-border logistics platforms.
Furthermore, ESC highlights the importance of ensuring that European partnerships remain inclusive of transport users and logistics stakeholders. Shippers play a central role in driving demand for efficient and sustainable transport solutions, and their involvement is essential to align innovation with market realities.
ESC stands ready to contribute to Horizon Europe initiatives that support decarbonisation of freight transport, digitalisation of supply chains, and improved cross-border connectivity. We view this programme as a key opportunity to strengthen Europe’s industrial base, enhance trade competitiveness, and support the transition toward a more sustainable and efficient logistics ecosystem.
In conclusion, ESC strongly supports this direction and encourages the finalisation of the programme to ensure timely implementation from 2028 onwards.