Overview
Waterborne TP was created in 2005 as an industry-oriented technology platform to establish a continuous dialogue between waterborne stakeholders and the EU institutions and member states. It is registered in Belgium as Waterborne Technology Platform VZW, listed as a non-profit association since 18 September 2019 under enterprise number 0734.599.806, with its office at Square de Meeus 35 in Brussels since March 2023. Its membership covers shipowners, shipyards and equipment manufacturers, classification societies, ports, inland waterway operators, blue economy actors, research organisations and universities. In January 2026 the platform reported more than 130 members from 19 EU member states and four countries associated with Horizon Europe, up from more than 120 in July 2025; Meyer Turku joined as the 130th member in September 2025. A General Assembly sets policy and approves the budget, a Board of Directors elected for two-year terms defines strategy, and a Secretariat led by the Secretary General handles daily management. Maja Novakovic was appointed Chair on 6 November 2025, Jaap Gebraad is Secretary General, and Maria Boile has been Coordinator since October 2021 and chairs the Alignment Group. The platform coordinates the private side of the Horizon Europe Co-Programmed Partnership on Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport, whose Memorandum of Understanding was signed in January 2022 and which targets zero-emission solutions for all main ship types before 2030. In January 2026 it published a proposal for a partnership under Framework Programme 10.
Stated facts & numbers
- Founded: 2005
- Legal entity: Waterborne Technology Platform VZW, non-profit association under Belgian law
- Enterprise number: 0734.599.806, registered as a non-profit since 18 September 2019
- Headquarters: Square de Meeus 35, 1000 Brussels
- Chair: Maja Novakovic (Everllence), appointed 6 November 2025 for two years
- Secretary General: Jaap Gebraad
- Coordinator: Maria Boile, in the role since October 2021, re-appointed November 2025
- Members: More than 130, from 19 EU member states and four Horizon Europe associated countries (January 2026)
- Membership fee: EUR 3,000 per year as of 2020
- Main programme: Co-Programmed Partnership on Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport under Horizon Europe, MoU signed January 2022
- Thematic groups: Vessel Technologies and Operations, Port Ecosystems, Blue Economy
In the news
- We are happy to spotlight Marte Jensen again as part of our Technology Leaders series. After contributing to the Technology Roadmap for Ferries, Marte has also strongly shared her technical expertise and experience in the development of the Technology Roadmap for Offshore. As Project and Funding Manager at Maritime CleanTech, Marte works to connect industry, research and the public sector to accelerate the development and deployment of zero-emission maritime solutions. As Vice-Chair of the WaterborneTP Thematic Research and
- Europe’s green and digital transitions depend on a strong and connected waterborne ecosystem. This was one of the key messages from the discussion held during SMM Hamburg 2026, bringing together Dr. Helena Rapp from the German Maritime Centre, Dr. Christoph Ploß, Federal Government Coordinator for Maritime Economy and Tourism in Germany, Lukas Roß, Business Development and Innovation Manager at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and Arthur-Hans Thellmann, Head of Policy RDI & Regulatory Strategy at MEYER WERFT. The exchange
- What will it take to shape a competitive and resilient Blue Economy? Emilio Fortunato Campana brings his expertise in marine engineering, applied mathematics and fluid dynamics to the technical development of the Blue Economy Roadmap. With a background in mechanical engineering with a PhD in fluid dynamics from Sapienza University of Rome, Emilio has extensive experience in RD&I. He served as Director of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche -Department of Engineering, ICT and Technologies for Energy and Transport for ten years,
- Adopting the Ocean-going Shipping Technology Roadmap, Thordon Bearings Inc. is supporting the development of competitive, resilient and sustainable solutions for the waterborne sector. ⚓ As the global leader in seawater-lubricated propeller shaft, rudder and deck bearings for the global marine market, Thordon’s technologies help reduce environmental risks while improving vessel efficiency. The T-BOSS® sterntubeless propeller shaft bearing system eliminates the need for sterntube oil and its associated environmental risks, while
- As infrastructure providers, ports play a critical role in supporting the sector’s ambitions for sustainability and digitalization. At the same time, they need to become increasingly resilient to different types of threats, from extreme weather events to cyber threats. So what does this mean for the future of European port ecosystems? Developing the Port Ecosystems Technology Roadmap helped identifying the sector’s most important needs and prioritise the areas where technological development and innovation can make the biggest
- The countdown is on! In one month, registration for the Waterborne Days 2027 will open up! 🚢 Building on the success of previous editions, we are preparing for our largest WaterborneTP Days yet, bringing together stakeholders from across Europe to discuss the latest developments, opportunities and challenges shaping the waterborne sector. Over two days at The EGG Brussels, participants will connect with sector experts, researchers and policymakers through insightful panel discussions, interactive workshops and thematic roundtables.
- Why are Technology Roadmaps important- and why do we keep on posting about them? Climate change, geopolitical developments and rapid technological progress are fundamentally reshaping the waterborne sector. So how can Europe navigate these changes while maintaining its technological leadership? The WaterborneTP Technology Roadmaps provide a common direction for the sector while bringing together the whole ecosystem. They align industry, research and policymakers around key technology priorities by connecting innovation with
- With almost two decades of experience in port innovation, sustainability and maritime transport, Jorge Lara brings valuable expertise to the development of the Port Ecosystems Technology Roadmap. 🚢 As Senior Project Manager at Fundación Valenciaport and Vice-Chair of the Port Ecosystems TRIG at the WaterborneTP, Jorge is a specialist in port innovation, sustainability and maritime transport, with extensive experience supporting the development of competitive, resilient and future-ready port ecosystems. With a background in
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