European Shipowners welcome the European Industrial Maritime Strategy, which was published by the European Commission today. Reflecting on the recent geopolitical instability, the Strategy recognises the strategic role of shipping for Europe’s energy and supply chain security.  It proposes measures to strengthen the international competitiveness of European shipping and the whole industrial cluster.

European shipping represents around 35% of the global fleet, including 35% of the global tanker fleet, 33% of LNG carriers and 44% of container ships. This makes Europe a leader in the global supply chains and European shipping a geopolitical asset for our continent.

Shipping is also instrumental in transporting the energy and goods that underpin Europe’s economy, with 87% of gas imports and 76% of EU’s external trade moved by ships.

Reflecting on the recent geopolitical instability, the Strategy recognises the strategic role of the sector and proposes measures to strengthen the international competitiveness of European shipping and the whole industrial cluster.

The Strategy has firmly rejected any calls for protectionist measures and highlights the need for investment to support the competitiveness of the European industry. It underlines the need to focus on the energy transition and proposes the use of the national ETS revenues for the uptake of clean fuels and clean tech for shipping.

It further sets the conditions for European shipping’s competitiveness by committing to a fit-for-purpose regulatory and taxation framework. The human element and upskilling and reskilling has been put forward as a high priority for the competitiveness of the sector in line with international law and regulations.

“Reflecting on the recent geopolitical instability, the Strategy recognises the strategic role of shipping for Europe’s energy and supply chain security. Our sector carries the energy and goods that keep Europe running. Representing 35% of the global fleet makes European shipping a geopolitical asset. It makes Europe a leader in the global supply chains.”

“Although the European fleet is growing steadily, other fleets are growing faster. The Commission has rejected any protectionist calls and instead has prioritised investment. This is how we protect competitiveness, deliver decarbonisation and strengthen Europe’s energy security at the same time” said Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of European Shipowners | ECSA.

“Shipping is an international sector and must continue to rely on international regulation to ensure a global level playing field. The Commission should go a step further and commit that EU measures should be transitional and will be withdrawn once a global agreement is adopted at the International Maritime Organization” he added”.