European shipbuilders, shiprepairers and maritime engineering and manufacturing companies have launched a new joint representation in Brussels. In its Founding Assembly held in Paris on 1 June 2012, 22 national associations from 18 countries have launched SEA Europe, Ships and Maritime Equipment Association.
The new Association is representing a sector of more than 500,000 jobs and 80 billion € turnover. As Chairman the Assembly elected Lars Gørvell Dahll, Senior Vice President at Kongsberg Gruppen ASA.
Shared Interests and Goals
Shipyards and equipment makers mostly share common interests, concerns and policy objectives. They serve global, highly competitive markets with the highest technology requirements. The market conditions are under considerable pressure as demand in many segments continues to be weak. At the same time, due to sharply increasing fuel cost, regulatory pressure to reduce emissions to the environment and strong growth prospects for off-shore hydrocarbon as well as renewable energy, investments in maritime industries are expected to see strong growth.
SEA Europe will conduct its work in a large array of working groups complemented by sector committees dealing with specific market segment matters. At its focus stands LeaderSHIP 2020 the Initiative by Commission Vice-President Tajani to rebuild a new comprehensive industry policy for the sector. To assist the Chairman the Founding Assembly elected the following persons as Vice Chairmen:
– Bernard Meyer, Managing Partner of Meyer Werft, Germany
– Govert Hamers, President and CEO of IHC Merwede, the Netherlands
– Willy Salamon, President and CEO of Arno Dunkerque, France
– Dirk Lehmann, Managing Director Becker Marine Systems, Germany
– Kjeld Dittmann, Managing Director Lyngsø Marine A/S, Denmark
– Santiago Crespo, Managing Director Marine Business Unit Ingeteam S.A., Spain
As Honorary Chairmen were elected:
– Corrado Antonini, President of Fincantieri, Italy and CESA Honorary Chairman
– Hans Hoffmann, EMEC Honorary Chairman
Existing Associations Continue
The existing sector associations Community of European Shipyards Associations (CESA) and the European Marine Equipment Council (EMEC) will continue to operate to serve contractual obligations with the European Commission. Furthermore, CESA will continue its active contribution to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at which it enjoys a consultative status.
https://www.seaeurope.eu[The new SEA website] is currently under construction.
