Welcome to the website of the European Shipowners | ECSA. European Shipowners | ECSA advocates for a competitive and sustainable European shipping industry. We represent 21 members from the EU and Norway.
Europe is facing an existential transformation as it strives to meet climate neutrality by 2050 while maintaining industrial leadership at global level. The Green Deal Industrial Plan and the proposed Net-Zero Industry Act have put forward ambitious measures to strengthen Europe’s security by fostering green technology manufacturing, green transport, just transition and open trade.
Shipping is a cornerstone of Europe’s security – from energy to food and supply chain security. The European shipping fleet is one of the largest in the world, representing around 35% of the world fleet enabling the EU to play a leading role in the global supply chains. Shipping delivers the goods we need, supports EU exports and connects European citizens within Europe and with the rest of the world.
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LATEST NEWS
Winners of European School Competition on the Ship of the Future announced at EU ministerial meeting
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Economic value of European shipping
Monday, April 27, 2026
Shipping People: Luís Miguel Sousa
Monday, April 13, 2026
EVENTS
The strategic role of European Shipping to Europe’s security and competitiveness
European Maritime Skills Forum Annual Plenary
📢 Event alert: European Maritime Skills Forum Annual Plenary
Join European Shipowners | ECSA and ETF for the first Annual Plenary of the European Maritime Skills Forum. ⚓
📅 When: 31 March, 09.30 – 15.15 CET
📍 Where: Townhall Europe, Brussels
📌 For further information contact: Douwe van der Meulen
For more details on the programme, see below ⤵️
European Parliament Policy Breakfast on the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan
📢 Event alert: Parliamentary Policy Breakfast on the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan
Join European Shipowners | ECSA for a Parliamentary Policy Breakfast “Sustainable Transport Investment Plan”, hosted by MEP Niels Flemming Hansen, this time in Strasbourg ⚓
📅 When: 26 November, 8.00 – 9.30 CET
📍 Where: European Parliament, Strasbourg
Join us for a high-level discussion with our panelists:
– Annika Kroon, Head of Unit Maritime Transport and Logistics, European Commission
– Fanny Devaux, Deputy Director for Shipping, T&E
– Liana Gouta, Director General, FuelsEurope
– Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director, Airlines for Europe (A4E)
Moderation: Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General, European Shipowners | ECSA
📌 For further information contact: jaime.campos@ecsa.eu
For more details on the programme, see below ⤵️
European Shipowners | ECSA 60th Anniversary Event
EP Policy Breakfast – Towards an ambitious European Maritime Industrial Strategy
📢 Event alert: Parliamentary Policy Breakfast on the Maritime Industrial Strategy
Join European Shipowners | ECSA for a Parliamentary Policy Breakfast “Towards an ambitious European Maritime Industrial Strategy”, hosted by the Chair of Transport Committee of the European Parliament, Eliza Vozemberg ⚓
📅 When: 4 November, 8.00 – 9.30 CET
📍 Where: European Parliament, ASP G 00 (ground floor)
Join us for a high-level discussion with our panellists:
– Fotini Ioannidou, Director for Waterborne, European Commission
– Vincent Guerre, Director, Trade and Competitiveness, SEA Europe (Shipyards’ & Maritime Equipment Association of Europe)
– Niels Wammen-Jensen, Executive Vice President, CLIA | Cruise Lines International Association
– Faïg Abbasov, Director, Shipping, T&E
Moderation: Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General, European Shipowners | ECSA
📌 Seats are limited — register now: https://lnkd.in/dntxZh35
Due to limited seats, attendance is first-come, first-served, and subject to confirmation.
For more details on the programme, see below ⤵️
Kick-off meeting of the European Maritime Skills Forum Work Streams
Kick-off meeting of the three workstreems of the European Maritime Skills Forum – a joint initiative of European Shipowners | ECSA and the European Transport Workers Federation to support skills development, career opportunities, and cooperation across the European maritime sector.
🗓 Date: 10 September 2025
🕐 Time: 10:00 – 17:00 CEST
💻 Location: European Shiponwers | ECSA Office
It is not possible to register to this event.
🔹 Agenda:
10:00 – Registration
10:30 – 12:00 | Work stream on green skills
Focus: The skills required for the maritime sector’s transition to sustainable operations, including alternative fuels, energy efficiency, and climate resilience.
12:00 – 13:00 | Networking lunch
13:00 – 14:30 | Work stream on leadership, mentoring & resilience skills
Focus: Strengthening leadership capabilities, tackling bullying and harassment, developing effective mentorship structures, and enhancing workforce resilience and soft skills in a changing industry.
14:30 – 15:00 | Coffee break
15:00 – 16:30 | Work stream on digital skills
Focus: Addressing the digital transformation of the maritime industry, with particular attention to automation, data management, and cybersecurity.
16:30 – 17:00 | Closing
Implementing Fit for 55 in the maritime sector: strategies and progress – ESS side session
Human element in shipping – ESS side session
Towards a competitive EU maritime industrial strategy – ESS side session
EU Maritime Skills Forum Launch
Register Now for the EU Maritime Skills Forum!
When: 21 January 2025, 10:00-16:00 CET
Where: TownHall Europe, Brussels
Social partners European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and European Transport Workers’ Federation, supported by the European Commission, are delighted to launch the EU Maritime Skills Forum.
As a legacy of the SkillSea project, the Forum will bring together maritime stakeholders, policy makers, and the network of maritime education providers MET-NET to contribute to the development of a comprehensive and sustainable maritime skills strategy.
Key topics will include:
- Green skills
- Digital transformation
- Leadership, Mentoring, and Resilience Skills
Click here to register (opens new tab).
Check out the program:
ECSA New Year’s Reception
ECSA Clean Maritime Fuels Platform launching event
ECSA – Seafarers Go Digital launching event
ECSA – Next Generation at Sea
ECSA & Hellenic Impact Investing Network side event at OurOcen2024 Conference, Athens: “Making an Impact with Investments in Green Shipping”
ECSA, T&E event in European Parliament: Bringing clean shipping fuels to the market
ECSA Finance, Innovation and Transition (FIT) series: “Navigating the Interplay: The role of Public Funding in Ship Finance” (webinar)
Joined ECSA- DG MOVE workshop on the practical implications of the Fuel EU Maritime
Innovation Fund InfoDay for waterborne transport
ECSA New Year’s Reception
VIDEO OF THE MONTH
European Shipowners PRIORITIES 2024-2029
Shipping is a cornerstone of Europe’s security – from energy to food and supply chain security. Shipping delivers the goods we need, supports EU exports and connects European citizens within Europe and with the rest of the world. Europe needs a competitive shipping sector. See how we ensure that European shipping remains competitive while tackling the greatest challenges of our time:
