The World Shipping Council (WSC) welcomed the balance between sustainability and competitiveness struck in the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass that will form the basis for the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal.
On its statement however, the WSC called on the EU Commission to recognise that liner shipping is investing in Europe and urged the Commission to support the sector on its path to decarbonise supply chains, fostering open trade and protecting critical sea lanes from geopolitical disruptions.
The new measures are envisioned to de-risk investment in renewable energy and the production and distribution of renewable and low-carbon transport fuels. These steps are crucial for Europe to establish itself as a maritime energy hub.
This is the moment for Europe to seize the opportunity to support shipping in contributing to the competitiveness of a sustainable future EU economy.
…said Joe Kramek, President and CEO, WSC.
Moreover, with exports bringing over €2 trillion to the EU each year, the movement of goods across oceans is essential to Europe. In fact, 90% of goods by volume enters and leaves the EU by sea transport. These ships connect Europe to over 900 ports worldwide, reaching key markets and building important international relationships.
The Commission’s pledge to make a priority of completing the EU single market and reducing the administrative burden will be welcomed by ocean carriers as well as shippers.
To reach this goal, WSC states that the coming years will require the creation of a maritime space without barriers, the removal of customs formalities for goods transported by sea intra EU, the streamlining of external border controls, the harmonisation of rules and the further reduction of bureaucracy.
The WSC also welcomed the Commission’s recognition that partnerships with industry are vital to make legislation and policy work better and advocated for this approach to focus on policy design and implementation.
