Last week, the Swedish government presented a new maritime strategy aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the shipping industry and promoting the sustainable management of marine resources. Research and innovation are identified as one of the cornerstones of the transition that lies ahead. However, the strategy’s description of current research funding and Lighthouse’s role falls short.

"A growing maritime Sweden." That is the government’s vision in the new maritime strategy presented on 6 August. The idea is for authorities, industry stakeholders and other interested parties to work together to ensure that the sea and shipping are used in the most strategic and sustainable way possible over the long term. The focus is on competitiveness, fossil-free transport, blue industries and a balanced marine environment.

“Sweden is a leading maritime nation with strong companies, world-leading innovations and vibrant coastal and archipelago communities. Through the new maritime strategy, we are strengthening Swedish companies’ opportunities to grow within the European single market, contribute to the green transition and help develop a competitive and sustainable maritime Sweden. This strengthens both Sweden and the EU,” said Minister for European Union Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz when the strategy was launched.

The shipping industry is facing several transformative changes at the same time. It must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, embrace digitalisation, strengthen preparedness and compete in an increasingly challenging international market. According to the strategy, none of this can be achieved without new knowledge and technological development. In other words, more research and innovation are needed.

In the section titled Research and Innovation, the government outlines its efforts in this area. Among other things, it states that, through Vinnova, it “funds the Lighthouse collaboration platform for maritime research and innovation in Sweden.” This description presents a skewed and incomplete picture of reality.

While Vinnova has indeed contributed SEK 8 million to Lighthouse between 2021 and 2026, a fact mentioned elsewhere in the strategy, Lighthouse is primarily funded through a combination of membership fees from industry, academia and public authorities, as well as support from organisations such as the Västra Götaland Region, the Swedish Shipowners’ Association and the Swedish Seafarers’ Foundation.

Lighthouse manages, for example, the Swedish Transport Administration’s industry programme Sustainable Shipping, which runs until 2029. Since its launch in 2019, the programme has generated around 90 projects involving approximately 196 organisations from industry, academia and research institutes. These projects address issues ranging from alternative fuels and the green transition to smart ships, digitalisation, safety, and both economic and social sustainability. None of this is mentioned in the maritime strategy, which is surprising given that it is the most comprehensive programme for maritime research and innovation in Sweden. In another part of the strategy, Lighthouse is referred to as a “project”. In reality, Lighthouse is a national collaboration platform that has existed since 2006.

The government also writes that “the Swedish Transport Administration’s funding for maritime research in recent years has amounted to approximately SEK 95 million annually within the portfolio known as the Maritime Research Portfolio.” This is correct. However, what is not mentioned is that, in the National Infrastructure Plan for 2026–2037, the government almost halved funding for transport research and innovation, reducing it from SEK 7.6 billion to SEK 4 billion.

As a result, the Swedish Transport Administration has been forced to cancel its regular autumn call for proposals from the Maritime Research Portfolio because it sees no room for new project starts in either 2026 or 2027. Magnus Blinge, Head of Research and Innovation at the Swedish Transport Administration, explained this in an article on Lighthouse’s website published in May.

Of course, more than research is required to strengthen the competitiveness of shipping and ensure the sustainable management of marine resources. The government has therefore tasked the Swedish Agency for Transport Analysis and the Swedish Agency for Growth Policy Analysis with reviewing the conditions for maritime industries.

“There will be a particular focus on how small and medium-sized enterprises in Sweden can become competitive, resilient, resource-efficient and fossil-free. The agencies will also propose measures to improve conditions for SMEs,” said Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson in connection with the launch of the maritime strategy.