Published on 6 January 2025

Maritime Strategy 2023–2027

Switzerland aims to make meaningful contributions to maritime issues and help shape future developments in this field. To this end, the Federal Council adopted the Maritime Strategy on 2 June 2023. This strategy is designed to enhance the coherence of federal policy in the maritime sector by providing a holistic view that considers all relevant stakeholders.

Maritime Strategy 2023–2027 — © EDA

As a landlocked country, Switzerland has no direct access to the sea. Nevertheless, the seas and oceans are also of great economic, scientific and ecological importance for Switzerland. Around 90% of all intercontinental goods traffic is handled via the seas and oceans. As a globally oriented economy, Switzerland relies on seamless international logistics chains and maritime trade. This is why Switzerland is actively involved in this sector. Major maritime transport and logistics companies are headquartered in Switzerland. They operate around 900 ships, constituting one of the world's largest merchant fleets.

As an actor in a globalised world, Switzerland also relies on high-quality and sustainably managed marine ecosystems. These play a crucial role in addressing global challenges such as climate change and food security.

Thematic focus areas

• International law

  Switzerland wishes to strengthen its commitment to the development and respect of international law in maritime affairs. The country will focus its engagement primarily on issues relevant to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals.

  Agenda 2030

• Maritime economy

  Swiss companies are important global service providers in the field of maritime transport, but also in chartering and in the transit of goods. Switzerland seeks to uphold the good framework conditions in which these companies operate.

• Environmental concerns for marine life and society

  Switzerland will continue and, where necessary, strengthen its commitment in areas such as the protection of marine biodiversity, the fight against plastic pollution and climate protection. The Federal Council confirms that Switzerland works within the International Maritime Organization towards a climate target of zero net emissions from global shipping by 2050.

• Marine science and research

  Swiss universities are at the forefront of maritime research. Yet this expertise is not sufficiently recognised internationally; its visibility should be boosted. Switzerland also seeks to support access to research vessels for the Swiss scientific community and to promote its participation in international projects and expeditions.

• Swiss-flagged vessels

  The Swiss Maritime Navigation Office has been tasked with revising the legislation on marine navigation to enhance the appeal of the Swiss flag. This includes making the registration process for commercial vessels less stringent and introducing a flexible and proportionate system of sanctions and inspections. In addition, ships flying the Swiss flag must meet high safety and sustainability standards, at the very least no lower than those prescribed by international regulations. In this vein, the Federal Council aims to create an attractive and competitive Swiss flag flanked by a reliable regulatory framework. The provisions relating to international recreational boating and those relating to international Rhine navigation must also be updated in multiple ways, in particular to facilitate the registration of these types of vessels.

Documents

• 1st annual monitoring report – Maritime strategy (June 2023–June 2024)

  PDF677.73 kB27 August 2025

• 2nd annual monitoring report – Maritime strategy (June 2023–June 2025)

  PDF395.24 kB27 August 2025

• Maritime Strategy 2023–2027

  PDF4.12 MB9 January 2025