The long-awaited report by Mario Draghi, previous President of the European Central Bank, on the competitiveness of the European economy, delivers strong and far-reaching recommendations to enhance the competitiveness of the European economy.
According to the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), the report acknowledges the global leadership of European shipping and identifies that a fit-for-purpose regulatory and taxation framework has ensured that the sector has remained globally competitive.
The report also recognises that shipping together with aviation, are the most difficult sectors to decarbonise. Investment needs for shipping alone will be around 40 billion each year from 2031 to 2050. Scaling up the production of clean fuels and clean and innovative technologies in Europe is set as a major objective. In this regard, the report identifies the need for adequate access to finance, including special calls for shipping under the ETS Innovation Fund.
The Draghi report firmly recognises the global leadership role of European shipping and the need to maintain its international competitiveness. European shipping is a success story and a cornerstone of the energy, food and supply chain security of our continent.
… said Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of ECSA, adding that in these times of geopolitical uncertainty, it is crucial for Europe to maintain and grow the EU-operated fleet, which ensures Europe’s position in the global supply chains as well as access to key international markets.
According to Draghi, transport can play a critical role in the decarbonisation of the EU economy, but whether it proves to be an opportunity for Europe depends on planning. However, lack of EU-level planning for transport competitiveness is hindering the ability of Europe to capitalise on the possibilities of multimodal transport to lower carbon emissions. Sustainable mobility requires an integrated approach towards energy networks, charging infrastructures, standardisation of manufacturing equipment, telecoms (including satellite and navigation technologies) and financing.
Moreover, Draghi notes that in the maritime sector, reskilling needs could affect some 250,000 seafarers in EUlx during the coming years. New skills needs will arise related to the handling and bunkering of alternative fuels and their safety, alongside the ability to maintain optimal operating speeds, and, later, the management of automated vessel operations. Across the transport sector, demand for low-skilled workers is likely to decrease as complex human-machine interactions become more widespread in the medium term.
It is crucial to focus investments into European industrial capacity for clean fuels and innovative technologies for shipping, to deliver on our climate objectives and to enhance European competitiveness and security
… Raptis added. As he had said during Posidonia 2024 to SAFETY4SEA, “We need to make sure that we use the revenues generated under the EU in a proper way so that we organize the transition of the shipping sector. We need the revenues to be used for the uptake of clean fuels and technologies.”
