As the European Parliament has just started its mandate and the European Commission’s College is being composed, ECSA published its new strategic priorities for 2019-2024, outlining ten priority areas which the European shipping industry will be focusing on.
Entitled “Sailing ahead – European shipping sets ambitious goals for its next chapter”, the publication names the top 10 priority areas for EU shipping industry:
1.Climate and sustainability: Work together with the EU, the IMO and our maritime partners towards the sustainability of our sector and in our common fight against climate change through innovation and research.
To be very clear, climate is the top priority for the whole shipping sector. The industry is keen to work with its European and global partners to reach the goal set by the IMO to cut CO2 emissions by at least 50% by 2050. This means we need to start working now to ensure the necessary alternative fuels, bunker infrastructure and technologies are developed in time to be taken up on a global scale. This is a huge challenge and also opportunity for the sector,
…commented ECSA Secretary General, Martin Dorsman.
2. Trade: Support the EU’s free trade agenda and oppose growing commercial and maritime protectionism.
3. Competitiveness: Work with European regulators to maintain and heighten EU shipping’s global competitiveness in order to safeguard Europe’s position as a major shipping region.
4. Internal market: Engage with EU regulators to cement the maritime aspect of the internal market through borderless intra-EU short-sea shipping.
5. Innovation & digitalisation: Position European shipping as the global leaders of maritime innovators and pioneers of connected maritime transport.
6. Human resources: Maintain Europe’s leadership in maritime knowledge by making the sector more attractive and ensuring diversity in the workforce.
Europe has a long maritime tradition that spans over at least three millennia. Our industry is strong due to our unique know-how and talent pool, resulting from this history. Attracting and retaining talent is intrinsic to the survival of our industry. This can only be achieved by investing in training and education, and respecting diversity and social values. We also need to align this with our ambitious climate goals and the use of the latest maritime technologies, to make our companies more competitive and attractive to investors and customers,
…continued Mr Dorsman.
7. Safety: Work with EU policymakers to ensure a high standard of safety for crew, passengers, vessels and goods.
8. Legal affairs: Support the EU’s engagements with international maritime bodies to maintain a common global shipping regulatory environment that safeguards a level playing field for EU shipowners.
9. Taxation: Secure a stable and competitive tax framework recognising the intricacies and the global character of the shipping industry.
10. Better regulation: Participate actively in the EU’s drive for smarter and better regulation to help make European shipping stronger and more competitive.
Explore more herebelow:
See also:
- ECSA launches Maritime Growth Plan for sustainable maritime jobs
- ECSA supports newly-launched partnership focusing on a zero-emission shipping
