Global cooperation is the bedrock of a successful European shipping policy, shipowners say

Global cooperation must remain an absolute priority of European shipping policy. That was the principal message of ECSA’s contribution to the Senior Maritime Forum of Marintec China, the largest maritime event in Asia, which is being held in Shanghai this week.

ECSA Secretary General Patrick Verhoeven was invited to...

EU shipowners want IMO leadership in efforts to reduce GHG emissions from shipping

As world leaders from 147 countries gather in Paris for the long-awaited UNFCCC COP 21, European shipowners reiterate their support for the EU Member States’ negotiating position adopted in September.

“We fully support the idea that shipping has to contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions” commented Patrick...

Shipowners raise awareness about offshore shipping

European shipowners organised last week a seminar on offshore shipping in the European Parliament. The event specifically targeted European policy makers in an effort to raise awareness about the diversity and importance of the European shipping industry’s fastest growing segment.

“I believe it was a very good first step in...

Shipowners’ holistic approach to maritime security

In a move intended to allow the European shipping industry to stay abreast of recent developments, European shipowners have widened the scope of the former ECSA Piracy Working Group, which has been renamed "ECSA Maritime Security Working Group" .

Topics under the remit of the new working group range from...

MEPs’ 2016 climate deadline for IMO unrealistic, shipowners say

European shipowners note Wednesday’s European Parliament resolution, which constitutes the mandate for the EP delegation to the Paris COP 21 meeting in December, and issue a warning call. MEPs call for all Parties to work through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to develop a global policy framework to enable an...

Simplification of port regulation proposal justifies re-inclusion of all services

Members of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) of the European Parliament are considering substantial simplifications to the Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on market access to port services and financial transparency of ports. Based on amendments introduced by Rapporteur Knut Fleckenstein (S&D), procedures for limitation and selection of...

Investments in recycling facilities should be rewarded, irrespective of geography

The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) welcome the fact that the classification society ClassNK has issued statements of compliance to two ship recycling facilities in India and, thus, verified that the facilities are in line with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships...

Shipping sector receives Seafarer of the Year award for role in migrant rescues

The Lloyd’s List Global Award for Seafarer of the Year, usually reserved for individual seafarers who have shown bravery and leadership in the line of duty, was this year presented to all of the world’s seafarers (and their shipping company employers) in recognition of their collective efforts to rescue thousands...

EU-China maritime dialogue a good template, say European Shipowners

The 12th Implementation Meeting of the China-EU Maritime Transport Agreement, hosted by the Polish government, was held in Szczecin, Poland from 21 to 23 September. Official delegations consisted of representatives of the Chinese Ministry of Transport, the Directorate-General for Transport and Mobility (DG Move) of the European Commission and EU...

EU Member States show trust in IMO's ability to deliver

“The EU Council’s decision to entrust the IMO with the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from international shipping is a vote of confidence in the international organisation’s ability to deliver” claimed Patrick Verhoeven, ECSA Secretary General following the adoption of the EU Member States’ negotiating position at the UNFCCC...