The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) has launched its Maritime Growth Plan for sustainable growth in the maritime sector, according to their website.
The ambitious Maritime Growth plan for “Sustainable Maritime Jobs, Growth and Competitiveness”, aiming to ensure a thriving EU shipping industry, a strong skills base and the development of a world-class maritime cluster.
Maritime Growth Plan
The Maritime Growth Plan, launched at an event on 29 October in Brussels, is expected to act as a strategic framework providing a holistic and common EU vision for actions to be taken at EU, national and local levels.
Shipping directly employs over 640,000 workers at sea and on shore, and supports over 1.4 million workers through indirect and induced employment.
But if Europe is to retain its pre-eminence in global shipping, the know-how of these workers needs to be cherished and cultivated.
The sector is therefore in need to attract a sufficient number of quality new entrants and retain experienced seafarers, including women seafarers and other under-represented groups.
World-class Maritime cluster
Martin Dorsman, ECSA Secretary General said,“European shipping and the broader maritime sector are strategically important for the EU – in terms of its contributions to trade, geopolitical role and as an important source of employment.”
“With this in mind, it is high time to have a jobs and growth strategy that recognises the strategic importance of Europe’s maritime know-how,” he said.
He added,”Through this plan, European shipowners stand committed to take forward the objectives of ‘developing an attractive, smart, safe, social and sustainable quality shipping’ and a ‘world-class maritime cluster’, identified by Member States for the EU’s maritime transport policy.“
As other major shipping centres around the world gain ground with intensive support from their governments, preserving and improving the existing policy framework is essential to keeping the EU shipping industry competitive.
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Source: European Community Shipowners’ Associations
