16+1 proposals to boost the EU’s shipping policy

In an effort to provide the European Commission with constructive input ahead of the upcoming review of the EU shipping policy in 2017, European shipowners unveiled on Tuesday 16+1 proposals to highlight the industry’s point of view and priorities.

“What we really want to show Transport Commissioner Bulc is that...

Niels Smedegaard takes ECSA helm

Niels Smedegaard, President and CEO of DFDS, has been elected as the new President of the European Community Shipowners' Associations, with Mr Panagiotis Laskaridis, founder and CEO of Laskaridis Shipping, as Vice-President. Mr. Smedegaard, whose term starts in January 2016, replaces Thomas Rehder who has been at the helm of...

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...