The European Tugowners’ Association (ETA) welcomes the launch on 4 March of the EU Ports Strategy and the European Industrial Maritime Strategy by the European Commission. These initiatives provide an important framework for the future of the European maritime cluster and for the role of Europe’s ports in an increasingly complex economic and geopolitical environment.
ETA appreciates that the documents recognise the strategic importance of ports, which should combine their role as competitive trade hubs with their essential functions as public service providers supporting the resilience of Europe’s economy and societies. The acknowledgement of the diversity of European ports, including the important role played by small and medium-sized terminals, and the need for a flexible policy approach is particularly welcome.
ETA also values the constructive dialogue with the Commission so far, and looks forward to further strengthening this cooperation. In this regard, the proposal to establish a high-level EU Ports Board and to launch a structured dialogue with the EU maritime manufacturing industry represents a positive step towards continuing structured and meaningful engagement with the sector.
The EU Ports Strategy also rightly highlights the relevance of safeguarding the global competitiveness of European ports. ETA therefore welcomes the Commission’s commitment to review key legislative instruments such as the EU maritime emissions framework and to address the proven negative impacts that the current implementation may have on the competitiveness of EU ports, particularly those located in peripheral regions of the continent that have been experiencing a reduction in calls and traffics.
ETA welcomes the Commission’s intention to develop a multi-year pipeline of public orders across EU and EEA buyers, including tugboats. This could help create stable long-term aggregated demand and support investment in the renewal and modernisation of towage fleets.
Furthermore, ETA values that the European Industrial Maritime Strategy recognises the strategic role of shipping for Europe’s energy and supply chain security and proposes measures to strengthen the international competitiveness of European shipping and the wider maritime industrial cluster, including the promotion and protection of European manufacturing interests in existing and future trade and investment agreements.
Investment will be essential to support the competitiveness and transformation of the sector. In this regard, ETA supports the strong focus on the energy transition and the proposal to launch new funding calls dedicated to the decarbonisation of the sector, as well as to mobilise EU funding and national emissions trading revenues to support the deployment of clean fuels and technologies in shipping.
Finally, ETA also welcomes the initiative to create a network of maritime higher education institutions and vocational training centres. As demonstrated by the experience of the EU project Greenport Alliances, dialogue and cooperation of this kind can be an effective way to address skills gaps and promote more attractive and sustainable careers in a sector that urgently needs new workers and new profiles.
“ETA welcomes the launch of the EU Ports Strategy and the European Industrial Maritime Strategy as an important step toward strengthening Europe’s maritime ecosystem. It is encouraging to see recognition of the essential role that ports and maritime services play in Europe’s economic resilience, competitiveness and energy transition. ETA looks forward to continuing and strengthening the strategic dialogue with the EU institutions and other maritime stakeholders to help ensure the successful implementation of these strategies” says Anna Maria Darmanin, ETA Secretary General.
