The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) called the European Commission to adopt a strong mutual policy, in order to make sure that the European maritime technology industry will survive competition from Asian shipyards.
Namely, the EESC urged the Commission to focus on the LeaderSHIP 2020 strategy’and to forward key recommendations for the sector’s new LeaderSHIP 2030 strategy.
EESC rapporteur Patrizio Pesci, stated:
Europe needs a specific approach for the shipbuilding and marine equipment manufacturing industry. Like China, the US, Japan and South Korea, European decision-makers must treat it as a strategic sector in Europe’s economy.
In order for the European Commission to achieve that, EESC proposes the following:
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- Efforts to conclude a comprehensive OECD agreement – including China – which would clarify rules on subsidies.
- Collaboration between Europe and third countries as a guiding principle in both bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, and issues linked to market access.
- The Commission should consider introducing a specific financial instrument that would safeguard investment in this capital risk-intensive sector.
- Environmental protection, safety and security, as well as digitalisation, automation, cybersecurity or the internet of things pose major challenges for the European maritime sector but also offer interesting opportunities for innovation.
- The Commission should support to the social partners in the shipbuilding sector enabling them to continue their work at the European Skills Council for the Maritime Technology Sector.
- The Commission should ensure that the maritime defence industry will be vital to the LeaderSHIP strategy.
