EU ministers signed on 15 May the Szczecin Declaration on the EU maritime industrial strategy during the 11th International Maritime Congress in Poland, highlighting the strategic role of shipping to Europe’s security.
As stated, the Declaration highlights the need to safeguard the international competitiveness of European shipping through a level playing field and a fit-for-purpose regulatory and taxation framework. It also underlines the importance of international conventions such as those agreed in ILO and IMO to ensure a global level playing field.
The European Shipowners have welcomed the adoption of the Szczecin Declaration on the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and support the Declaration’s recognition of the strategic role of European shipping for the continent’s energy, food, and supply chain security.
Furthermore, Member States call for regulatory action on fuel supply, recognising that decarbonisation depends on the contribution of fuel producers and suppliers.
European Shipowners consider the introduction of a binding mandate on suppliers to produce and make available the fuels necessary for the energy transition of shipping,
In addition, the Declaration suggests concrete measures to de-risk investment in clean fuels in Europe under the upcoming Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP). European Shipowners have underlined their support of the use of the EU and national ETS revenues for bridging the enormous price gap with clean fuels.
Access to public and private finance is also highlighted as crucial to deliver on the green transition, with the Member States also recognising the adverse effect of the stringent Basel rules (prudential requirements) on ship finance and SME companies.
Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General, European Shipowners | ECSA, noted that the Declaration sends a strong signal against protectionist measures and supports investments to makether maritime industrial cluster stronger and more competitive internationally.
We welcome the support for key priorities for the European Shipowners such as the need to de-risk investments in clean fuels and technology and to maintain a fit-for-purpose regulatory and taxation framework. We look forward to working closely with the Commission and the other stakeholders in the coming months.
…Raptis highlighted.
