Specifically, SEA Europe highlights that the two challenges in the shipping industry today are:
#1 The need for legal certainty for the maritime stakeholders. Without a legal base, the waterborne sector will never be a frontrunner. It is crucial that shipyards are based on a legal certainty, as the recent attacks against LNG-fuelled vessels or problems encountered with ballast water management systems present the need for legal certainty to avoid unintended efforts for the industry.
#2 The need for financial incentives so that companies are attracted to be amongst the firsts in terms of sustainability. Yet, the financial incentives should be provided to those interested under the condition that the y should spent in Europe or have a return on investment for Europe.
Moreover, SEA Europe launched a new Strategic Research Agenda in partnership with Waterborne Technology Platform aiming to make waterborne transport the most sustainable mean of transport. To accomplish this goal, the sector has to reduce shipping emissions, and water pollution, waste and noise. Also, the shipping industry has to further explore renewable energies.
SEA EU's goal is in line with the two basic goals that have been set by the shipping industry:
With this two-fold ambition, the waterborne sector aims at building ships that completely eliminate all harmful emissions and thus at going beyond the IMO’s Initial GHG Reduction Strategy adopted in April 2018.
