Ahead of the 2024 European elections, ECSA launches its policy priorities for the next five years. The four pillars are Climate and energy transition, People-centred green and digital transition, Ship Finance and Competitiveness and Trade.

Europe is facing an existential transformation as it strives to meet climate neutrality by 2050 while maintaining industrial leadership at global level.

European shipping has been a cornerstone of Europe’s energy, food, and supply chain security. European shipping, representing 39.5% of the world fleet, enables Europe to play a leading role in the international supply chains. Shipping delivers the goods and energy we need, supports EU exports and connects European citizens within Europe and with the rest of the world.

To ensure European shipping continues to play a strategic role for the security of Europe, the ECSA Priorities 2024-2029 put forward policy recommendations along four key pillars:

• Climate and energy transition
• People-centred green and digital transition
• Ship Finance and Competitiveness
• Trade

“Shipping has been a European success story amid growing geopolitical instability. It has been a cornerstone of the economic security of our continent, delivering the energy we need and supporting the exports of our goods. Shipping has enabled Europe to remain a leader in the international supply chains.

At the same time, the uptake of clean fuels and technologies has emerged as the new battlefield of international competition. The EU has set up the most ambitious climate targets internationally laying out a pathway to net zero by 2050. However, without proper access to finance and without immense public investments, the energy transition and the competitiveness of the industry are at stake.

To meet the challenge of the digital transition and to match the uptake of clean fuels, we need to address the skills gap. Up to 800,000 seafarers will have to be upskilled or reskilled internationally by the mid-2030s” said Sotiris Raptis, ECSA’s Secretary General.