Tapping into shipping s unexploited potential. ECSA Brussels 2 April 2014

Transcription

1 Tapping into shipping s unexploited potential ECSA Brussels 2 April 2014

2 Summary 1. Lifeblood of global business 2. Sustainable transport solution 3. Wealth of maritime skills and know-how 4. Key to single market 5. Free global trade and secure seas

3 1. Lifeblood of global business

4 Background: The EU shipping industry controls almost half of the global fleet; It has a substantial economic impact in terms of contribution to GDP, employment and tax revenues; Without EU-approved state aid measures, the economic impact of EU shipping could have been half as important. Challenges: Fierce global competition, especially by shipping centres in Asia; Shipping has high labour and capital mobility; Way forward: Global rules for global movers; Fiscal incentives and other alleviations in a flexible manner, comparable to other world shipping centres; Efficient and service-oriented Member State flag registers.

5 2. Sustainable transport solution

6 Background: Shipping is by far the most energy-efficient transport mode; Shipping is the first industrial sector with a binding global regime to reduce CO2 emissions. Rising fuel costs are pushing shipowners to become as energy efficient as possible Opportunities: EU can make its transport system more sustainable and achieve its CO2 goals through multimodality i.e. shifting cargo off the road and to the sea. EU shipping can also become greener without losing its competitive edge if EU environmental standards are aligned with those at global level.

7 3. Wealth of maritime skills and know-how

8 Background: Europe has a unique knowledge pool of maritime talent; More than students/cadets studying in maritime academies in Europe; The shipping industry offers attractive career paths on board and in the maritime cluster. EU shipping workers are more productive than the EU average Challenge: Without a new generation of seafarers, the whole maritime cluster will lose its base. Way forward: The EU can tap into the wealth of maritime skills and know-how by supporting the recruitment and training of young professionals and fostering the promotion of maritime careers; By making the seafaring career more attractive, the EU can capitalize on thousands of job opportunities in one of Europe s most competitive sectors.

9 4. Key to the single market

10 Background: 40% of intra-eu trade is transported by sea; The internal market has not delivered its full potential for shipping. Opportunities: The EU stands to profit substantially from the creation of a truly internal market for shipping through the reduction customs and administrative formalities burdening short sea shipping By eliminating market access restrictions in several ports, the EU will allow for the provision of more efficient port services, thus streamlining the global logistics chain. Way ahead: A genuine European Maritime Space without Barriers offering a level playing field with other modes; Interoperable and harmonized National Single Windows Electronic manifests are standard practice; Freedom to provide services fully applies in ports.

11 5. Free global trade and secure seas

12 Background: Shipping is the main vector and facilitator of global trade The EU is a champion of free gloal trade Shipping needs secure seas, free from piracy and armed robbery. Challenge: Piracy threatens the entire global supply chain by attacking ships on the busiest trading lanes. Way forward: The EU can further strengthen its trade links and profit considerably from concluding FTAs with more trade partners around the world. The EU can protect these vital links to its trade partners by continuing to spearhead efforts to counter piracy and armed robbery.

13 Conclusions Europe will greatly benefit from establishing a business climate that is conducive to the shipping industry; Europe can improve the sustainability of its transport system by fostering the use of shipping; By making the seafaring profession more attractive, Europe can capitalise on the advantages offered by EU shipping; Europe will improve the efficiency of its transport system and profit from a real internal market for shipping; Europe will strengthen its role as a trade power by establishing more FTAs and continuing its global leadership in protecting its vital trade lanes against piracy and armed robbery.

14 European Community Shipowners Associations (ECSA) Rue Ducale, Hertogstraat 67/2 B-1000 Brussels mail@ecsa.eu Follow us on 14