The ever increasing refugee problem in the Mediterranean, agressive competition and environmental regulations were the focus points of the debut European Shipping Week in Brussels
A major issue for the representatives of the European Commission and marine industry organizations at the meeting in Brussels from[ds_preview] March 2 to 6 were the problems faced by merchant vessels when rescuing large numbers of migrants adrift at sea. Malta MEP Miriam Dalli said, Europe needed to focus on prevention, referring to the recently published EU Maritime Security Strategy which establishes a framework to tackle smuggling of migrants by developing security building programs with third countries.
To help better understand and evaluate the challenges of carrying large scale humanitarian operations, the meeting featured presentations on EU migration policy, ship security and rescue guidance, as well as testimonials from shipowners and managers whose vessels have carried out such operations. In the view of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the burden of responsibility placed on ships and their crews to rescue migrants in distress has been further increased by the replacement of Italy’s humanitarian »Mare Nostrum« operation with the EU funded »Triton« operation, whose primary mandate is border protection. At least for a short-term solution, measures to strengthen SAR capabilities were necessary, the ICS said.
LNG, the future fuel?
The Commission presented the preliminary results of a study on the risks and opportunities of LNG as a shipping fuel, showing that the major motivation for stakeholders to engage in LNG is, to be compliant with Emission Controlled Area (ECA) requirements. The most critical issues for further deployment are the financing and pricing of LNG. For many companies LNG does not offer a profitable business model yet: the higher equipment costs for engines and tanks are not offset by savings in fuel or operating expenses. The lack of bunkering infrastructure is another barrier. Speakers of the IACS highlighted the importance of harmonious rules for the use of LNG.
The Commission also discussed the implementation of of the Sulphur Directive and the forthcoming EU regulation for the monitoring, reporting and verification of ships’ CO2 emissions. Representatives of the industry said, when it came to CO2 emissions, shipping should be viewed as part of the solution. In order to further reduce emissions effectively, EU environmental standards should be aligned with those at global level.
Staying competitive
With their »Vessels for the Future« initiative classification society DNV GL rose awareness for future challenges. Director of Maritime Technology, Research and Development, Pierre C. Sames, presented five maritime technologies DNV GL sees as vital to unlocking greater efficiencies and improving environmental performance: new materials and processes, fuels and propulsion systems, information and communication technology, hull water interaction, energy management and novel vessel design concepts. The Initiative also aims at creating the first European vessel demonstrator to test new technologies at ship level. Advances in these areas were also capable to strengthen industrial competitiveness and job creation, DNV GL Speakers stated.
Representatives of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), Cruise Lines International (CLIA), the European Community Association of Ship Brokers and Agents (ECASBA), the European Tugowners Association (ETA), the European Dredging Association (EuDA), Interferry and the World Shipping Council (WSC) also adressed the issue of competitiveness. In the face of increasingly fierce competition, shipowners needed a stable and predictable EU fiscal regime and a regulatory framework in accordance with international rules, they said. Alfred Hartmann, president oft he German Shipowners Association (VDR) said, the EU’s subsidy guidelines had to remain untouched, to maintain competitiveness. Otherwise shipping companies might move to non-community countries, resulting in a loss of employment, economic value added and know-how.
Furthermore, administrative burdens and customs hurdles throughout Europe are still considered a disadvantage. The EU should therefore reduce abusive restrictions on market access to port services and inefficiencies in European ports.
Free Trade Agreements, in the view of the industry, are mutually beneficial to the EU and the shipping industry as they ensure the prosperity of the Union.
Interferry’s regulatory affairs director Johan Roos promoted a closer cooperation between the Commission and trade organizations. Issues should be discussed before they emerged into the regulatory process.
Felix Selzer
