Association calls on EC for more support in maritime

The EC has released a public consultation on draft revised State aid rules for transport, with a focus on inland waterways.

Representing Europe’s maritime technology sector, SEA Europe has criticised the EC for a lack of sustainability and innovation; unfair competition from non-European shipyards; and ambiguity in aid eligibility.

“SEA Europe welcomes the Commission’s initiative to support the inland waterways sector but calls for more ambitious criteria to ensure sustainable, digital, and high-tech solutions are prioritised,” it says.

“The current draft lacks conditions for the use of state-of-the-art, green technologies in new vessels. SEA Europe argues that this is a missed opportunity to drive innovation and transition to zero-emission, digitalised fleets.

“The proposed rules do not require vessels to be built or retrofitted in European shipyards, potentially funnelling funds from EU countries to non-European competitors that often benefit from domestic subsidies, further disadvantaging European shipbuilders.

“SEA Europe calls for clearer eligibility criteria to ensure that European shipyards and maritime equipment suppliers can access aid for the production and modernisation of inland vessels.”

SEA Europe says 150 billion tonne-kilometres of cargo a year are transported along inland waterways in Europe, yet the fleet is ageing and it is ‘dominated by SMEs and family-run businesses’.

“The European Commission has proposed criteria to facilitate State aid for acquiring and modernising inland vessels,” SEA Europe says. “While SEA Europe appreciates this support, the association stresses that these investments must align with the EU’s Green Deal and support the business case for the European maritime technology industry, comprising shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers.

The EC should support the acquisition of vessels with the latest technologies at the same time as giving priority to European shipyards, it says.

“Without clear criteria that promote innovation, environmental stewardship, and support for European shipbuilders and equipment manufacturers, this opportunity could be lost,” said Christophe Tytgat, Secretary General of SEA Europe.

SEA Europe says it represents close to 100% of the European shipbuilding industry in 16 nations across maintenance, repair, and conversion of all types of ships and floating structures, commercial as well as naval, including the full supply chain with the various producers of maritime systems, equipment material, and services.