Mar e Transportes

Comunicação da Comissão ao Parlamento Europeu, ao Conselho, ao Comité Económico e Social Europeu e ao Comité das Regiões - Objectivos estratégicos e recomendações para a política comunitária de transporte marítimo no horizonte de 2018  (COM(2009) 008 final) [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/PT/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52009DC0008]

80% of international freight is carried by sea and 40% of intra-European freight uses Short Sea Shipping. European ports welcome more than 400 million passengers each year.

European shipping in globalised markets
European flags must face ever-fiercer competition from foreign competitors who are favoured by more flexible regulations, cheaper labour or government support. This imbalance, coupled with factors related to the current economic crisis, could result in maritime transport activities being relocated from Europe to third countries.
Action by the European Union (EU) should contribute to:

• supporting the development of a competitive and stable framework which will support greener shipping efforts and innovation;
• supporting fair competition rules and fair international maritime trade;
• aligning the substantive competition rules globally.

Human resources, seamanship and maritime know-how
In order to address the growing shortage of marine professionals and improve the image of the sector, the EU must value maritime careers and skills. Maritime training centres have been called upon to cooperate more closely. In addition, labour mobility should be encouraged, such as is the case for officers when they are trained. The EU must also work on developing better working conditions on board ships by requiring compliance with the ILO’s (International Labour Organization) Maritime Labour Convention.

Quality shipping
‘Zero-waste, zero-emission’ maritime transport is a priority for the EU. To this end, the EU should continue its efforts by prioritising the following actions:

• reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping;
• improving the environmental quality of marine waters;
• managing ship-generated waste and ship dismantling;
• reducing sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides emissions from ships;
• promoting more ecological shipping.

The EU has a comprehensive regulatory framework. However, Member States should work on developing ever more secure maritime transport. The mandate and functioning of the European Maritime Safety Agency should be redefined so that it can provide better assistance. The EU and Member States should monitor compliance with European and international regulations. The EU should collaborate more closely with its partners in the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and contribute to a shared maritime safety culture with neighbouring countries, with regard to port State inspections in particular.

The EU and its Member States should pursue the implementation of a comprehensive framework of security measures. The actions of the EU and its Member States should foster:

• navigation area security;
• the protection of crews and passengers;
• the application of rules commensurate with those at international level;
• the promotion of a security culture within international shipping.

The EU should improve surveillance of vessels sailing in or near its waters by focusing its actions on:

• the implementation of an integrated information management system in compliance with the ‘e-maritime’ initiative;
• the creation of an integrated, cross-border and cross-sectoral EU surveillance system.

Exploiting the potential of Short Sea Shipping
Intra-European shipping is expected to increase between now and 2018. New infrastructures should be created and existing infrastructures should be strengthened. EU action should focus on:

• the creation of a ‘European maritime transport space without barriers’;
• port policy as announced by the Commission in its Communication 2007/616/EC;
• compliance with environmental regulations on port development;
• Trans-European Transport Networks;
• making Short Sea Shipping more attractive.

Europe – a world leader in maritime research and innovation
EU research and development efforts should benefit maritime transport with regard to:

• creating new ship designs and equipment for safer and cleaner transport;
• technologies to maximise the efficiency of the transport chain;
• inspection and monitoring tools and advanced telecommunication systems.

The European Union's maritime transport policy for 2018 [http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-09-16_en.htm]

In terms of volume, 90% of the freight exchanges of Europe with the rest of the world are seaborne. Maritime transport services, including off-shore activities, are essential for helping European companies compete globally. Among EU Member States, short sea shipping is a key element in reducing congestion, ensuring territorial cohesion and promoting the sustainable development of the European continent. With more than 400 million sea passengers a year travelling through European ports, passenger ships and ferry services have a direct impact on the quality of life of citizens in islands and peripheral regions.

Shipping represents one of Europe's largest export industries, providing deep sea transport services between Europe and the rest of the world, as well as in cross trades between third countries. European shipping is present in all segments of the sector in all regions of the planet. Transport of freight and passengers at sea generated € 24.7 billion in 2006 as a net contribution to the EU balance of payments. In terms of added value, traditional maritime sectors represent a share of 1.09% in the total GDP of the EU-27 and Norway. Maritime transport activities' related employment in Europe amounts to 1.5 million people. Some 70% of shipping related jobs are onshore – in shipbuilding, naval architecture, science, engineering, electronics, cargo-handling and logistics. [ECOTEC study, for DG Maritime Affairs, 2006]

Challenges and opportunities for maritime transport in the next 10 years

The continuous success of European shipping in world markets cannot be taken for granted. A number of major challenges have been identified by experts consulted by the Commission. The current crisis of the international financial system, its impact on the real economy and the sluggish recovery prospects in different parts of the world have affected seaborne trade and thus the different branches of the shipping industry.

Moreover, recent developments in the energy markets, including the cut of pipelines for gas supplies, have underlined the strategic importance of LNG tanker-ships for ensuring a stable and long-term solution to guarantee reliable energy supplies to the EU. In a wider context, those developments remind the importance of the fleet, in all its branches of activity, for the well being of the European citizens and of the European economy as a whole.

Operators involved in the provision of maritime transport services and the European maritime transport as such will face significant challenges in the years to come. They will have to cope with the fluctuations in sea-borne trade, the negative impact of the financial crisis and other external factors, such as the risk of overcapacity in certain market segments, the rise of protectionist measures affecting world trade, environmental concerns related to climate change, volatility in energy and other commodities markets and loss of European maritime know-how because of the scarcity of skilled human resources.

Moreover, competitive advantages given by third countries to shipping businesses entail a real risk of de-localisation of head offices and maritime industries outside Europe. Often the position of European operators is undermined by unfair competition, which results from lax enforcement of safety, security, environmental and social standards in certain parts of the world. Achieving effective governance of maritime affairs and an international fair level playing field for maritime transport remains a crucial challenge to the global community.

Strategic options at European level

The EU's sustainable transport policy aims at addressing the economic, social and environmental needs of our society. An efficient maritime transportation system is essential for Europe’s prosperity, having significant impacts on economic growth, social development and the environment.

In autumn 2007, after having consulted the main stakeholders of the sector, the Commission started a strategic review of the EU's integrated maritime policy, examining also the challenges European and international maritime transport will face in the next ten years.

This work has included the conduct of a prospective study analysing trends and signals of change in the maritime sector (the so-called 'shipping scenarios' for 2018). It has also involved consultation with experts from maritime administrations in the Member States and Norway, as well as advice from a group of senior industry leaders representing different interests within the maritime transport industries. [Benchmarking strategic options for European shipping and for the European maritime transport system in the horizon 2008-2018]

Two major issues guided the reflection:

• By 2018, European shipping transport services should be at least as efficient, reliable and sustainable as today. There should be sufficient transport capacity available and the port and port hinterland capacities should be able to cope with increased cargo volumes.
• By 2018, the shipping industry should be at least as competitive as today, and have an equally strong or better position on the global markets.

Strategic recommendations

Several important conclusions come from this strategic review exercise. First of all, the recovery of the world economy from the current financial crisis would lead to a growth in international trade and will require a maritime transport system able to deliver advanced logistic solutions. Moreover, in a recession period, short sea shipping is a perfect vehicle for stimulating intra-EU trade exchanges and thus supporting recovery of growth in the EU and its neighbouring countries.

Overall, the next ten years may offer a unique opportunity to reinforce the competitiveness of European shipping, and to strengthen its contribution to the objectives of a sustainable European transport policy.

The strategic recommendations concern seven main issues:

• Competitive European shipping: The priority is to achieve and maintain an attractive framework for quality shipping and quality operators in Europe including financial measures. This will help maritime transport achieve sustainable development goals. Such a framework would also help the sector adapt to adverse financial conditions and to the slow-down in growth of the world's sea-borne trades.
• Human Factor: There is a genuine European interest in making maritime professions more attractive to young people and thus improving employment of seafarers. Positive measures may include facilitating life-long career prospects in the maritime clusters; enhancing the image of shipping; supporting the work of international organisation (IMO and ILO) on fair treatment of seafarers; and implementing simplification measures which aim at reducing the administrative burden on masters and senior ship officers.
• Greener Maritime Transport: The EU should encourage all actors to promote green solutions in maritime transport. The Commission, the Member States and the European maritime industry should be working together towards the long-term objective of "zero-waste, zero-emissions". The measures announced in the Greening Transport Package should be fully implemented.
• A safe and secure system: We should give priority to the enforcement of existing Community and international rules and the speedy implementation of measures introduced with the 3rd maritime safety package. The work already started should be completed by establishing a comprehensive framework for security measures in terms of prevention, reaction capacity and resilience.
• International Scene: The global challenges faced by the shipping and maritime industries demand convincing answers from the international community. The Commission and the Member States may be a real driving force for change towards a comprehensive international regulatory framework for shipping, adapted to the challenges of the 21st century.
• Short Sea Shipping and Ports: Further economic integration of the EEA Member States and of the neighbouring countries will have positive impact on maritime transport connections within the EU. It should be noted that sea-trade normally grows even in periods of business contraction. In the 2018 horizon, the European economy should recover from the current stagnation. Positive measures in support of short sea shipping should also help intensify sea-exchanges in all the European maritime façades. These measures will include the creation of a European Maritime Transport Space without Barriers the full deployment of the Motorways of the Seas but also the implementation of measures for port investment and performance. In all cases, the principles of open markets, fair competition and greening transport should be respected.
• Innovation and technological development: The competitiveness of the European maritime industries and their capacity to meet the environmental, energy, safety and human challenges is positively influenced by increased efforts in research and innovation. There is wide scope for improving energy efficiency in ships, reducing environmental impact, minimising the risks of accidents or providing better quality of life at sea. In the years to come, innovation and technological research and development in shipping should be further promoted. A framework of reference should be introduced for the deployment of "e-Maritime" services at European and global levels.

The Communication on the EU Maritime Transport Strategy 2018 is addressed to the European Parliament and the Council. In the light of their opinion and conclusions, the Commission will continue to look for concrete ways to implement the recommendations. This work will involve close cooperation with all interested parties