The transition to electric propulsion is accelerating in the nautical and river sector. And good news: many aid schemes today significantly reduce the cost of your project. CEE, PAMI, ADEME, European funds… this guide presents the main financing solutions to transition to electric smoothly.
Why switch to electric? A choice for the future
The electrification of boats and engines is no longer reserved for pioneers. Silent, clean, economical to use and increasingly efficient, electric propulsion is establishing itself as the reference solution for a sustainable navigation. Whether you are a professional in the river sector, operator of passenger boats or a player in nautical tourism, the question is no longer really why switch to electric, but how to finance it.
Public authorities have understood this well: several national and European schemes have been put in place to support this transition. A complete overview.
The CEE: the cornerstone of electric river financing
What are the Energy Savings Certificates?
The Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) constitutes the most accessible and concrete mechanism for financing your transition to electric. It is a national mechanism in which energy suppliers (EDF, TotalEnergies, Engie…) are required to fund projects that reduce energy consumption. In short: they pay part of your investment.
In the river sector, two CEE sheets concern you directly.
CEE TRA-EQ-126 — Electric remotorisation of an existing boat
This sheet is for you if you wish to replace your thermal engine with an electric or hybrid propulsion system on a boat already in service.
Eligible boats:
- Work boats
- Passenger boats
- Hotel barges
- Pleasure boats
- Certain leisure boats
Conditions to be met:
- The installation must be carried out by a qualified professional
- A monitoring system must be added (hour meter or BMS — Battery Management System)
- The boat must already exist
Not eligible: new boats, boats that are already electric or hybrid, as well as certain large cruise ships.
CEE TRA-EQ-127 — Purchase of a new electric or hybrid boat
Are you considering acquiring a new boat with electric or hybrid propulsion ? This sheet allows you to benefit from assistance for purchase or long-term rental.
Boats concerned:
- Work boats
- Passenger boats
- Barges
- Pleasure boats
- Leisure
Supported propulsion types :
- 100 % electric
- Series hybrid
- Parallel hybrid
Important points :
- The more your boat is used, the higher the support can be (the EEC rewards actual energy savings)
- In case of rental, the minimum duration is 60 months
- The application must be submitted within 12 months following the project
Maritime EEC: an upcoming extension
From 1st July 2026, the scope of the EEC will extend to the maritime sector. These are not new schemes, but a welcome expansion that will allow more stakeholders to benefit from the EEC mechanism for their decarbonisation projects.
What to remember about the EEC
The EEC offers several decisive advantages :
- Concrete investment support, paid upon validation of the application
- Cumulative with other schemes (PAMI, regional aids…)
- Suitable for both retrofitting and new builds
- Particularly accessible for inland waterway stakeholders
The PAMI: the ally of inland waterway professionals
The Modernisation and Innovation Aid Plan (PAMI) is a scheme from Voies Navigables de France (VNF)aimed at helping transport and inland tourism professionals modernise their fleet.
Who can benefit from it?
- Inland operators
- Shipowners
- Freight carriers
- Passenger boats
- Rental pleasure boating
- Certain shipyards and design offices (innovation aspect)
The 4 aspects of the PAMI
A Improve the environmental performance of boats
B Develop river logistics
C Support the renewal of the sector
D Support innovative projects
For a project of electric remotorisation, retrofitting or energy optimisation, the aspects A and D are particularly relevant.
The strengths of the PAMI
- Cumulative with the CEE, certain ADEME aids and regional aids
- A single simplified file to facilitate administrative procedures
- Note: the project must not have started before the submission of the file (no signed quote, no committed order)
ADEME: a call for projects for maritime decarbonisation
The ADEME launches a call for projects dedicated to the decarbonisation of transport and maritime services, with investment aids for :
- The acquisition of a electric propulsion
- The purchase of a new less polluting boat
- The electric retrofitting of an existing vessel
Application dates : from 2 April 2026 to 6 July 2026 (closing at 23:59).
Who can apply? Private or public economic actors: shipowners, ship operators, charterers, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, seaports, terminal operators…
Three themes are covered:
- Direct decarbonisation of ships (propulsion, batteries, retrofitting)
- Industrial investments for decarbonisation (production lines, manufacturing of electrical systems)
- Port investments (charging stations, electrical infrastructure at the quay)
Note: this call for projects does not apply to pleasure boats, fishing vessels, inland waterway boats, or ships flying a non-European flag.
The FEAMPA: the European fund for maritime and fishing actors
The European Fund for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture (FEAMPA) is a funding programme of the European Union that helps maritime actors modernise their equipment and accelerate their energy transition.
In France, these aids are managed by FranceAgriMer, the Regions and certain state services.
It can finance electric remotorisation, hybridisation, battery systems, and equipment that reduces emissions. This scheme is primarily aimed at professionals and companies in the maritime sector (fishermen, aquaculturists, maritime companies, fishing ports).
Bpifrance: the call for projects "Decarbonisation of fishing vessels"
Bpifrance, in partnership with the maritime decarbonisation fund created by CMA CGM, offers a call for projects dedicated to the energy transition of professional fishing vessels.
The aid takes the form of a direct grant, with amounts generally ranging between €30,000 and €500,000 depending on the projects.
It can finance electric remotorisation, hybridisation, feasibility studies, but also innovative technologies and prototypes.
Regional aids: think of your territory
Many regions offer their own aid schemes for the nautical energy transition. These aids vary according to your navigation area and your region of establishment. Do not hesitate to inquire with your regional council or local economic development agencies — they are often cumulative with national schemes.
A European call for projects to watch closely
If you are an innovative company in the field of maritime electric propulsion, a call for projects from the Horizon Europe programme (scheduled for December 2026) may interest you. For more information, consult the official source directly on the European Commission portal: ec.europa.eu — HORIZON-CL5-2027-03-D5-17.
In summary: combine aids to maximise your funding
Scheme | Type of project | Relevant sector | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
CEE TRA-EQ-126 | Electric retrofit | Riverine | ✅ Yes |
CEE TRA-EQ-127 | New electric / hybrid boat | Riverine | ✅ Yes |
PAMI (VNF) | Modernisation & innovation | Riverine | ✅ Yes |
ADEME AAP | Maritime decarbonisation | Professional maritime | ✅ Yes |
FEAMPA | Energy transition | Fishing & maritime | Variable |
BPI France | Decarbonisation of fishing vessels | Professional fishing | Variable |
Regional aids | All types | According to region | ✅ Often |
The good news is that these schemes are often cumulative. The same electric remotorisation project can thus benefit from the CEE, the PAMI, and a regional aid at the same time.
Weenav supports you
At Weenav, we design and distribute electric propulsion solutions for work, tourism, and leisure boats. We understand the constraints of the sector, and we are here to help you find the technical and financial solution suited to your project.
Do you have an electric or hybrid motorisation project?
Our teams can guide you towards the most suitable schemes for your situation.
Published on: 02/06/2026
Writer: Sophie Castelain