SEA Europe welcomes future opportunities

The short term strategy was introduced by vice president of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani, on 20 February 2013. With the help of the user industries, trade unions, non-governmental organisation and European national and region actors, it is hoped that the approach will boost the sector, which SEA Europe says has been severely affected by the 2008 global financial and economic crisis.

LeaderSHIP 202 provides a series of recommendations to support sustainable growth and high value jobs in the sector, whilst addressing Europe’s societal challenges. The European maritime technology stakeholders identified four pillars for action to foster conditions for business success: employment and skills, improving market access and fair market conditions, access to finance and research, development and innovation.

Douwe Cunningham, secretary general, SEA Europe, said: “The LeaderSHIP 2020 provides a solid and necessary political basis for the industry to look to the future. Now is the time for us to work closely together with the European Commission and the other LeaderSHIP 2020 stakeholders in order to ensure that the recommendations are effectively implemented”.

The strategy will allow the industry to focus on innovation, greening, application of new technologies and diversification into new emerging markets, such as offshore wind energy.