Two new studies released by European Shipowners point out that European shipping represents a geopolitical asset for Europe facilitating the export and import of goods, food and energy. In addition, whilst the EU represents around fifteen per cent of the global GDP, the European shipping fleet represents around 35 per cent of the world fleet in terms of global tonnage.
Ahead of the European Shipping Summit, European Shipowners released on 18 March a Deloitte study on the EU Shipping Competitiveness and a CE Delft study on the economic value of European shipping.
The European shipping fleet is one of the largest in the world. According to the CE Delft study, European shipping controls thirty per cent of the world’s bulk carriers, 44 per cent of container ships, 35 per cent of tankers and 33 per cent of LNG carriers, making it a leading force in global trade.
The study is summarised in the infographic above and below:
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Fiercer competition than ever before
The Deloitte study highlights that the EU faces fiercer international competition as a preferred location for shipping activities today than ever before. The European fleet is growing steadily, but other fleets are growing faster. As geopolitical uncertainty grows, European shipping should be viewed as a geopolitical asset in the region, solidifying the EU’s leading position in international supply chains.
The research compares Europe’s position against six leading international shipping hubs, pinpointing best practices in policy, taxation, finance, regulation, and workforce development. It highlights critical policy gaps, assesses their impact, and sets out concrete, actionable recommendations to strengthen Europeʼs maritime edge.
The study concludes that the current EU regulatory and taxation framework facilitates a competitive EU shipping sector. However, it highlights significant areas for improvement such as closing the investment gap for the uptake of clean tech and fuels, reducing administrative burden, and aligning with international regulations.
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‘Need to invest in the energy transition’
‘Shipping is a cornerstone of Europe’s energy and supply chain security and is in the frontline of the energy transition,’ says Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of European Shipowners | ECSA. ‘European shipping is a success story. Europe represents 35 per cent of the global fleet against the EU’s fifteen per cent share of global GDP.’
‘The European fleet and our tonnage have been growing, but others have been growing faster. For Europe to retain shipping as a geopolitical asset, we need to maintain its international competitiveness and invest in the energy transition. Investing the EU and national ETS revenues in clean tech and clean fuels will make the whole maritime industrial cluster more competitive,’ concludes Raptis.
Picture (top) by European Shipowners | ECSA and CE Delft.
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