At the initiative of EMEC, the President of the European Commission (EC), José Manuel Barroso, met with representatives of EMEC and CESA to discuss the European shipbuilding industry.
EMEC was represented by its Chairman, Pim van Gulpen, and its Secretary General, Paola Lancellotti. CESA attended the meeting in the persons of Kommer Damen and Reinhard Lueken, Chairman and Secretary General respectively. Prior to the meeting, the two associations met in order to consolidate their point of view on matters currently on the EC’s agenda: globalization, climate change, competitiveness and innovation.
President Barroso acknowledged the importance of keeping competitive and innovative maritime industries in Europe and allow them to grow. He also recognized the contribution innovative European marine equipment can make to delivering cleaner ships with reduced emissions and the need to maintain the competitiveness of the European maritime industry.
Focus on Innovation and Competitiveness
Both CESA and EMEC pointed out that European producers consider globalization as an opportunity to consolidate their leading role in different market segments. On competitiveness and innovation, the industry representatives explained that European yards and suppliers are investing significant resources in research, development and innovation, thereby supporting the Lisbon Strategy for a European economy based on knowledge.
EMEC invited the Commission to pursue its policy of making classification and certification more efficient, in order to foster the sector’s competitiveness and to allow additional resources to be invested on development and innovation, to the benefit of transport operators, the environment and society at large.
CESA stressed the need to have a level playing field for supply of raw materials. They emphasised that big price differences for steel in the EU compared to the Asian average, together with trade obstacles have a severe negative impact on EU producers’ competitiveness.
On the environment, EMEC assured the Commission President that European suppliers are ready to play their part and to deliver innovative solutions for the reduction of greenhouse gasses (GHG) and the prevention of accidents that damage the environment. Both EMEC and CESA drew attention to the fact that, given the global dimension of shipping, environmental standards should be imposed to all fleets around the world in order to ensure their effectiveness.
Need for Better Protection
EMEC and CESA insisted that European companies should be supported in their efforts to protect against loss of know-how due to counterfeiting and piracy. CESA presented its new initiative, GuardSHIP, as an example for decisive counter-action by the yards. Global competition requires globally accepted rules on IP protection. Examples of practical cases suffered by the European Industry were illustrated to President Barroso who acknowledged the importance of better protection to the benefit of safer seas.
EMEC
EMEC, the European Marine Equipment Council, consists of 13 Members from Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany (2), Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway, Sweden, UK and represents around 1300 companies all over Europe.
CESA
CESA, the Community of European Shipyards’ Associations, represents directly more than 99 per cent of the EU shipbuilding production with more than 300 shipyards producing, converting and maintaining merchant and naval ships and other floating objects. CESA comprises fourteen National Associations from the EU, Norway and Croatia.
Picture: European Commission President José Manuel Barroso (left), with EMEC Chairman Pim Van Gulpen and CESA Chairman Kommer Damen (right) (https://www.emec.eu/emec/meeting_with_president_barroso.asp[EMEC])
