fleets , involving also retrofitting and fleet renewal schemes . The Commission recognizes that such support “ will help to preserve a thriving manufacturing ecosystem in areas where Europe has a strategic technological advantage such as the vessel manufacturing industries ”.
In addition , waterborne transport equipment and solutions are acknowledged as the engine of European exports and that a sustainable and smart transformation of the sector is an opportunity for Europe ’ s manufacturing industry to lead globally .
RENEWING THE FLEET
Unsurprisingly , the strategy paper has the backing of the European maritime industry ; for instance , the industry association SEA Europe – representing close to 100 % of the European shipbuilding industry in 16 nations – has applauded the new strategy .
Christophe Tytgat , SEA Europe ’ s Secretary General , noted that Europe ’ s shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers are very much needed in the frontlines for Europe to realize numerous sustainable EU policies , including the
European Green Deal and Digitalization Agenda . According to Tytgat , the Commission ’ s acknowledgement that finance can be used to modernize fleets , inter alia through a fleet renewal scheme , is very much welcomed .
Furthermore , there is already an alliance – comprising key players within the European waterborne transport sector – proposing a new Research and Innovation Partnership over a period of seven years .
Strongly aligned with the EU ’ s Green Deal , this Partnership ’ s central objective is to provide and demonstrate zero-emission solutions for all main ship types and services before 2030 , enabling zero-emission waterborne transport before 2050 . n
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