EBI and ICOMIA Form Partnership

European Boating Industry (EBI) and the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) have entered a new partnership with mutual benefits for both EBI and ICOMIA members and an increased focus on the further development of nautical tourism.

European Boating Industry (EBI) represents the European recreational boating industry. It encompasses all sectors relating to boating such as boatbuilding, equipment manufacturing, marinas, charter companies, and service providers. EBI is an established stakeholder at EU level, promoting the interests of its members through day-to-day advocacy on key issues ranging from the Recreational Craft Directive, Blue Economy, the European Green Deal, Research and Innovation, and fiscal framework, to qualifications, tourism, and trade policy. It is in constant exchange with the European Commission, European Parliament, Council, and stakeholders to bring across the key messages of the industry.

ICOMIA is an international association, whose full members are global marine industry associations. ICOMIA is a longstanding stakeholder in the various relevant working groups of the European Commission and employs technical and environmental specialists who are engaged in EU-related work. Its mission is to act as the voice of the recreational marine industry worldwide to facilitate, influence, inform and research.

Through this agreement, ICOMIA will continue to provide technical and environmental support and ensure cohesive representation of and communication with EBI and ICOMIA members. ICOMIA will assist with statistical work or studies, including the annual ICOMIA Statistics Book.

As part of this new partnership, EBI will start providing bi-monthly monitoring newsletters, which will include updates on EU work and EBI’s advocacy activities to keep its global partner updated.

The agreement was signed by the presidents of the two associations, Sara Anghel and Jean-Pierre Goudant, as well as their respective secretary-generals, Udo Kleinitz and Philip Easthill.