OpenLobby.EU
Explore

Shipyards' and Maritime Equipment Association of Europe

SEA Europe

SEA Europe represents European shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers, promoting safe and environmentally sound ships using advanced technologies.

Lobbying Activity

SEA Europe Urges Pragmatic Maritime Criteria for EU Taxonomy

4 Dec 2025
Topic — Reviewing technical screening criteria for maritime activities within the EU Taxonomy framework.
Message — Include transitional technologies like hybrid systems. The Taxonomy must not be the sole funding filter.12
Why — Shipbuilders would secure easier access to private investment for transitional green projects.3
Impact — European companies lose market share to global competitors using more pragmatic investment rules.4
Read full response

Meeting with Anna Panagopoulou (Cabinet of Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas), Anne Bergenfelt (Cabinet of Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas), Simone Ritzek-Seidl (Cabinet of Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas) and Unknown Organization

18 Nov 2025 · Presentation of SEA Europe’s demands for an EU Industrial maritime strategy

Maritime Industry Seeks Notification Delays for Tailor-Made Products

13 Nov 2025
Topic — Specifying conditions for delaying the sharing of cybersecurity vulnerability notifications between Member States.
Message — The association requests delays for tailor-made products when operational constraints hinder the application of security updates. They propose that contractual agreements between manufacturers and end-users should influence notification timing.12
Why — This would help vendors avoid the high costs of meeting rapid EU reporting timelines.3
Impact — Other Member States lose timely access to information about actively exploited cybersecurity vulnerabilities.4
Read full response

Shipbuilders urge EU to adopt mandatory ship lifecycle passports

5 Nov 2025
Topic — The European Commission's Circular Economy Act aims to boost demand for secondary materials.
Message — The association proposes a mandatory Ship Lifecycle Passport to standardize data exchange and promote the reuse of maritime components. They advocate for a unified waste market to secure high-quality recycled steel for European shipbuilding. Furthermore, they request financial incentives to make circular ship management more profitable for domestic yards.12
Why — European shipbuilders would reduce operational costs and gain a competitive edge over subsidized Asian competitors.3
Impact — Asian shipbuilders would face restricted access to European markets due to proposed local content requirements.4
Read full response

Meeting with Simonas Satunas (Cabinet of Commissioner Andrius Kubilius) and FINCANTIERI SpA

8 Oct 2025 · Military Mobility Package 2025

Response to European Innovation Act

2 Oct 2025

The Shipyards & Maritime Equipment Association of Europe (SEA Europe) represents the European maritime manufacturing industry in 17 countries, encompassing the production, maintenance, repair, retrofit and conversion of all types of ships and floating structures commercial as well as military including the full supply chain with the various producers of maritime systems, equipment material, and services. The submitted document represents SEA Europes response to the Call for Evidence for the impact assessment of the forthcoming European Innovation Act. The Competitiveness Compass for the EU identified the European Innovation Act as one of the key initiatives for closing the innovation gap between the EU and its global competitors one of the three transformational imperatives to strengthen Europes competitiveness. Shipbuilding lacks the scale and volume production found in high-series industries such as automotive, aerospace, and rail. As a result, it's essential to recognize that the R&D costs inherent to shipbuilding demand incremental investments to scale up clean technologiesparticularly to meet targets like the European GHG net-zero emission objectives. Transitional funding is especially critical between the demonstration phasewhen a technology is first installed onboard a vessel, typically by early adoptersand full deployment, when the technology reaches industrial maturity and becomes scalable and commercially viable. The upcoming EU Innovation Act holds the potential to play a pivotal role by providing innovative companies in the maritime manufacturing sector with access to European research and technology infrastructures, intellectual assets from publicly funded research and innovation, and regulatory sandboxes for testing new ideas. Streamlining regulations will accelerate the deployment of groundbreaking shipbuilding processes to build innovative ships and , fostering innovation and enhancing the industry's global competitiveness. The innovative dimension of the maritime manufacturing industry, as well as its high R&D intensity, in a context of global competition for technological leadership.
Read full response

Meeting with Miguel Gil Tertre (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez), Miguel Gil Tertre (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez), Petra Nemeckova (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez), Petra Nemeckova (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez), Terhi Lehtonen (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez), Terhi Lehtonen (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez)

24 Sept 2025 · Industrial Maritime Strategy

SEA Europe Urges Technology Neutrality in Maritime Investment Plan

2 Sept 2025
Topic — The initiative establishes a strategic framework to boost investment in renewable and low-carbon transport fuels.
Message — The association recommends binding fuel production targets and a technology-neutral approach including energy-saving systems. They also request regulatory changes to ensure diverse maritime technologies qualify for EU funding.123
Why — Scaling up innovation would secure the competitiveness of European manufacturers and drive demand for new ships.45
Impact — Global competitors currently dominating the market may lose their lead if European maritime manufacturing is strengthened.67
Read full response

SEA Europe urges EU to close shipbuilding subsidy loophole

28 Aug 2025
Topic — Reviewing the effectiveness and implementation costs of the 2022 Foreign Subsidies Regulation.
Message — SEA Europe demands that the Commission close a legal loophole that leaves shipyards unprotected from foreign subsidies. They argue current rules fail to address direct injury caused by non-EU competitors.12
Why — New rules would provide shipyards with a functional legal tool to challenge subsidized foreign competition.3
Impact — Non-EU shipbuilders would face new penalties for selling vessels at injuriously low prices.4
Read full response

European shipbuilders warn CBAM extension threatens global maritime competitiveness

25 Jul 2025
Topic — Consultation on extending the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to include downstream products.
Message — SEA Europe calls for an equitable CBAM without any adverse impact on shipbuilders. They recommend maintaining free allowances and introducing export adjustments for European shipyards. The Commission should simplify reporting and increase de minimis thresholds to lower costs.123
Why — This would allow Europe to secure a competitive maritime industry and safeguard strategic autonomy.4
Impact — Asian shipyards would lose their unfair competitive advantage over European maritime manufacturing companies.5
Read full response

Meeting with Polyvios Eliofotou (Cabinet of Commissioner Costas Kadis) and Cruise Lines International Association and

16 Jul 2025 · Review of the European Oceans Pact and future situation of the Blue Economy

SEA Europe urges maritime funding and expanded carbon market inclusion

7 Jul 2025
Topic — This consultation evaluates the effectiveness and operation of the EU Innovation Fund for climate.
Message — The group proposes flowing shipping tax revenues back into the maritime technology sector. They suggest extending carbon pricing to smaller vessels and adding flexibility to project rules. Additionally, they request separating shipbuilding projects from fuel production in funding categories.123
Why — Earmarked revenues and flexible funding rules would boost the competitiveness of maritime manufacturers.4
Impact — Owners of smaller vessels would face new financial burdens under expanded carbon pricing.5
Read full response

SEA Europe Urges ETS Expansion and Revenue Reinvestment

7 Jul 2025
Topic — Review of the EU Emissions Trading System for maritime and aviation sectors.
Message — SEA Europe recommends extending the ETS to smaller ships and reinvesting shipping revenues into the sector. They also request better Innovation Fund access for shipbuilding and retrofitting projects.123
Why — Reinvesting revenues would help strengthen the competitiveness of Europe's maritime manufacturers.4
Impact — Operators of smaller vessels would be subjected to new carbon pricing requirements.5
Read full response

Response to Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act

3 Jul 2025

Please find attached the contribution of the Shipyards & Maritime Equipment Association of Europe (SEA Europe) to the call for evidence on the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act.
Read full response

Response to EU industrial maritime strategy

2 Jul 2025

Please find attached the contribution of the Shipyards & Maritime Equipment Association of Europe (SEA Europe) to the call for evidence on the Industrial Maritime Strategy.
Read full response

Meeting with Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Commissioner) and

1 Jul 2025 · Strategic Dialogue on the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy

Meeting with Stéphane Séjourné (Executive Vice-President) and

1 Jul 2025 · EU Strategic Dialogue on the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy.

Meeting with Magda Kopczynska (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

23 Apr 2025 · Exchange of views on the forthcoming Commission initiative for a Maritime Industrial Strategy

Meeting with Stéphane Séjourné (Executive Vice-President) and

10 Apr 2025 · Impact of US tariffs

Meeting with Kerstin Jorna (Director-General Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs) and

10 Apr 2025 · Impact of US tariffs

Meeting with Christophe Clergeau (Member of the European Parliament) and Conférence des Régions Périphériques Maritimes d'Europe (CRPM)

8 Apr 2025 · SEArica

SEA Europe urges flexible chemical reporting for maritime industry

25 Mar 2025
Topic — Amendments to simplify EU Taxonomy sustainability reporting requirements and chemical usage criteria.
Message — The association requests changing the wording to focus on legislative compliance rather than prohibiting manufacturing. They also advocate for extending the transition period for reporting from 18 to 36 months.12
Why — This would reduce legal uncertainty and provide more time to manage complex supply chains.34
Impact — Environmental monitoring groups lose immediate visibility into hazardous chemical usage within maritime supply chains.5
Read full response

Response to Delegated act on primarily used components under the Net-Zero Industry Act

20 Feb 2025

The SEA Europe contribution is attached.
Read full response

Meeting with Felix Leinemann (Head of Unit Maritime Affairs and Fisheries)

10 Feb 2025 · Exchange of views on the European Ocean Pact

Meeting with Mark Nicklas (Head of Unit Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

27 Jan 2025 · Maritime Industrial Strategy and introduction of new SEA Europe Chairman

Meeting with Anne Fort (Cabinet of Commissioner Andrius Kubilius), Benjamin Hartmann (Cabinet of Commissioner Andrius Kubilius), Ramunas Stanionis (Cabinet of Commissioner Andrius Kubilius)

23 Jan 2025 · Presentation and Discussion of the Sea Naval White Papers on Naval Defence Trends and on Underwater and Seabed Warfare

Meeting with Christophe Clergeau (Member of the European Parliament)

21 Jan 2025 · SEARICA/ITRE

SEA Europe Urges Inclusion of Maritime Technology in Oceans Pact

20 Jan 2025
Topic — The consultation seeks to create a unified policy framework for the EU blue economy.
Message — SEA Europe requests the inclusion of shipbuilding and maritime technologies within the Pact. They propose an Industrial Alliance for Blue Economy Value Chains to drive innovation. They also seek EU funding for research and a secretariat to support the alliance.123
Why — This would increase shipbuilding demand and provide direct EU financial support for industry coordination.45
Read full response

SEA Europe urges maritime industrial strategy to boost green shipbuilding

16 Jan 2025
Topic — The consultation concerns developing the EU single market to improve global competitiveness.
Message — SEA Europe calls for a maritime industrial strategy and policies shifting transport from roads to water. They request simplified administrative reporting and standardized safety rules for short-sea and inland vessels. Finally, they seek increased funding to build and retrofit sustainable, digital ships.123
Why — These measures would increase shipbuilding competitiveness by creating stable demand for complex, green vessels.45
Impact — Road transport operators may lose market share due to policies favoring waterborne transport.6
Read full response

Meeting with Christophe Clergeau (Member of the European Parliament) and WindEurope and

14 Jan 2025 · SEARICA

Meeting with Kurt Vandenberghe (Director-General Climate Action)

19 Dec 2024 · the decarbonisation of Europe’s maritime sector

SEA Europe urges non-price criteria for strategic maritime procurement

17 Dec 2024
Topic — This evaluation assesses the effectiveness and relevance of EU public procurement directives.
Message — SEA Europe calls to integrate EU added value and non-price criteria into maritime project auctions. They recommend mandatory qualitative criteria like resilience to diversify supply sources for strategic infrastructure.12
Why — These changes would protect European shipbuilders from low-cost competition and secure domestic market share.34
Impact — Chinese and South Korean shipbuilders would face barriers to winning European maritime contracts.56
Read full response

Meeting with Arash Saeidi (Member of the European Parliament)

11 Sept 2024 · présentation de la stratégie industrielle maritime

Response to Ex-post evaluation of European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014-2020

5 Jul 2024

Please find enclosed the contribution of the Shipyards & Maritime Equipment Association of Europe (SEA Europe) to the Call for Evidence on the evaluation of the EMFF and the EMFAF.
Read full response

Response to Evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy

5 Jul 2024

Please find enclosed the contribution of the Shipyards & Maritime Equipment Association of Europe (SEA Europe) to the Call for Evidence on the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy.
Read full response

Response to Options for support for R&D of dual-use technologies

30 Apr 2024

SEA Naval, a permanent working group of SEA Europe, the Shipyards & Maritime Equipment Association of Europe, welcomes the efforts of the European Commission to channel and make the most of the EUs R&D efforts. Amongst all industries, the shipbuilding industry largely benefits from the cross-fertilization and dual use between civil and military systems and platforms. Indeed, civil, and military shipbuilding share up to 70% of raw materials, systems, workforce, and skills. Against this background, it is natural for the R&D in shipbuilding to be highly involved in the question. Consequently, adopting a financing mechanism for R&D, irrespective of any civil or military destination/use would allow for more transparency, a better channelling of projects, a clearer technological roadmap, and a greater coherence in the use of EU funding. Globally, SEA Naval considers Option 1 as a transition tool, with little to no substantial/impactful evolution on the budget dedicated to R&D overall. However, improving coordination and alignment between programmes, especially Horizon/EDF should be seen as the immediate priority while working towards a longer-term solution. Consequently, long-term solutions might be found between Options 2 and 3. Option 2, building on the existing Framework Programmes model, appears to be the most straightforward solution by limiting duplication. Indeed, efforts will be undertaken to ensure its efficiency and relevance, such as eligibility criterions, security/classification rules.. This could raise some additional burden while the budget share for dual-use projects with a military outcome will be limited and diluted within the civilian projects. Even if the initial set-up would certainly be demanding, Option 3 has its merits and would allow for a dedicated budget and clear entry/implementation requirements, as well as opportunities for the future market uptake of the programmes results. Indeed, efforts should be devoted to avoiding duplications and overlapping with both EDF and the future Framework Programme. Irrespective of the options tabled in the White Paper, the development of a robust dual-use R&D initiative should consider the following characteristics: Adequate and independent budget, on top of existing resources devoted to civilian R&D and defence. The autonomy of a substantial budget allocated to dual-use R&D efforts should be sought to ensure reliable and continuous financing. It is also essential that future Options do not go to the detriment of the budget specifically allocated to defence within current (EDF) and future instruments (EDF successor programme, EDIP). Robust and flexible framework. Working towards genuinely dual-use R&D means defining rules and governance that are compliant with defence requirements. Those requirements include dedicated rules for security, classification and IPR. However, it is also crucial to find an adequate balance between such requirements and the flexibility needed to make the most of the future resources in a fast-paced research environment. In this respect, while security and classification are paramount to ensure that research outcomes are kept in the EU, they should be tailored-made to all projects depending on the technology involved. Strategic planning and synchronization and engagement with stakeholders. Working towards the alignment of each R&D initiative with the overall EU strategic planning is essential to ensure coherence and effectiveness, while avoiding empty shells projects or projects for which the outcome would be left unexploited. Future options should also seek maximum synchronisation with the new tools supporting dual-use technologies with defence applications provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB). Additionally, the trialogue between industry, end-users and policymakers should be reinforced at early stage to ensure that each actor is working towards the same goal.
Read full response

Meeting with Kerstin Jorna (Director-General Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

17 Apr 2024 · Speaker at the Conference on Maritime Industrial Strategy

Meeting with Jens Gieseke (Member of the European Parliament) and Verband für Schiffbau und Meerestechnik e.V.

17 Apr 2024 · Panelteilnahme zur maritimer Industriestrategie

Meeting with Joan Canton (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton)

26 Feb 2024 · Implementation transition pathway mobility + Industrial policy and maritime industry

Response to Interim Evaluation of the European Defence Fund

21 Feb 2024

Overall, the experience of the EDF is positive. By encouraging cross-border collaboration and cooperation, the EDF is contributing to the EU's technological sovereignty by incentivizing joint research and the development of systems and technologies for the security and defence of EU. Currently involved in three Research projects, our organization has been supporting the development of the programme since EDIDP. Our position and engagement in the EDF from the proposal building to the conclusion of the project and even the downstream exploitation allows us to provide a comprehensive assessment of the EDF. SEA Naval is presenting its assessment of the EDF in the file attached. It is structures around five main areas: GLobal remarkks, Work Programme, Proposal Phase, Project Phase and Downstream activites and exchange of information. Would you have any question, SEA Naval remain fully available to discuss its contribution.
Read full response

Meeting with Roxana Lesovici (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

19 Feb 2024 · Future of the maritime technology industry

Meeting with Magda Kopczynska (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

2 Feb 2024 · State of play and content of SEA Europe’s proposed “maritime industry strategy” and how to proceed with it in view of the next European Commission.

Meeting with Tom Berendsen (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Sept 2023 · Maritime manufacturing

Meeting with Joan Canton (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton)

20 Sept 2023 · Transition pathway for shipping industry

SEA Europe Demands Dedicated Funding for EU Shipbuilders

27 Jul 2023
Topic — Updated rules for the EU Innovation Fund following the shipping sector's inclusion in carbon trading.
Message — SEA Europe requests dedicated yearly funding for maritime projects and a specialized expert committee to evaluate them. They also want rules ensuring that funded manufacturing and retrofitting occur within Europe.123
Why — This would help members secure funding by shielding maritime projects from competition with massive industrial plants.4
Impact — Non-European shipyards would be disqualified from receiving EU funding for vessel construction and repair.5
Read full response

European shipbuilders demand broader criteria for sustainable maritime investment

2 May 2023
Topic — A consultation on classifying sustainable economic activities to guide green investment decisions.
Message — SEA Europe requests a life-cycle approach to emissions instead of focusing on tailpipe exhaust. They also urge the inclusion of carbon capture and the removal of efficiency indices.123
Why — This would broaden the market for sustainable technologies and reduce regulatory uncertainty.45
Impact — Environmental groups lose if vessels transporting fossil fuels are granted sustainable status.6
Read full response

European shipbuilders demand technology-neutral criteria in EU Taxonomy

2 May 2023
Topic — This consultation establishes classification criteria for environmentally sustainable economic activities in maritime sectors.
Message — SEA Europe requests removing exclusions for fossil fuel carriers. They advocate for life-cycle assessments instead of just exhaust monitoring. The group also urges explicit inclusion of carbon capture technologies.123
Why — Broader criteria would increase the market for European sustainable maritime technologies.4
Impact — Developers of innovative abatement technologies lose investment when criteria ignore production emissions.5
Read full response

Meeting with Thierry Breton (Commissioner) and

29 Mar 2023 · Green and digital transition of the shipbuilding sector

Meeting with Roxana Lesovici (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

21 Jan 2022 · Introductory meeting by SEA Europe new Chairperson.

Meeting with Daniel Mes (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

21 Jan 2022 · Introductory meeting by SEA Europe new Chairperson

Meeting with Kerstin Jorna (Director-General Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

18 May 2021 · They would like to present the Shipyards’ and Maritime Equipment sector and to discuss the current economic situation of the sector and challenges ahead

Meeting with Kevin Keary (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

29 Jan 2021 · Trade defense, Europe's maritime technology sector

Response to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy

18 Dec 2020

SEA Europe, representing the European shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers (“the European maritime technology sector”), welcomes the opportunity to comment on the two first draft Delegated Acts proposed by the European Commission which establish the technical screening criteria under the Climate Change Mitigation and Climate Change Adaptation objectives as per EU Taxonomy Regulation EU 2020/852. European maritime technology companies are at the forefront in developing environmental and climate friendly technologies that enable the global shipping industry to become greener and climate neutral, in line with the “European Green Deal” ambitions. As recognised inter alia in the "New Industrial Strategy for Europe", European shipbuilding with its maritime supply chain “has the responsibility and the potential to drive” the twin green and digital transitions. Significant investments will be needed for R&D, development and deployment of various possible solutions that will meet the energy demands and needs of the entire waterborne transport sector, in accordance with the ship’s specific operational profile and the customer’s needs and purpose. Access to competitive “green” financing in Europe, therefore, is and will be vital for the entire European waterborne transport sector, including the European maritime technology, which is by nature highly capital intensive and operating at global level and hence exposed to fierce (and often unfair) competition notably from the Far-East shipbuilding nations. In this regard, SEA Europe supports the EU Taxonomy initiative and its stated goal of channelling investment into sustainable activities in line with the European Green Deal. To effectively reach its intended goals, it is however essential to ensure that the Taxonomy framework is based on clear definitions and technically sound, technology neutral and goal-based parameters that well take account of and reflect the specific features of all the waterborne transport sector’s related activities (including the manufacturing of related products and the supply of relevant services). Please find enclosed the SEA Europe submission setting out the European maritime technology industry's detailed comments on the proposed draft delegated acts under consultation, in particular on Section 3.3 (manufacturing of low carbon technologies for transporrt) and Section 6 (transport activities) of the Annexes.
Read full response

Response to Green Recovery for the Blue Economy (tentative)

10 Nov 2020

Shipbuilding and maritime equipment suppliers generate 1 million jobs in Europe and have a great potential for employment creation in the next 10 years, to cope with the development and demand of new ships and technologies and to overcome the ageing of the workforce and the generational change (40% of the workers retired within 10 years). Shipbuilding has “the responsibility and the potential to drive the twin transitions, support Europe’s industrial competitiveness and improve connectivity” (EU Industrial Strategy). The responsibility is double: on the one hand the industry is involved in a transformative process towards smart, digitalised, clean factories and Shipyard 4.0; on the other hand it must have the capacity and knowledge to develop smart, connected and zero-emission ships to achieve the decarbonisation goals of the of the Green Deal. This transformation will only be possible with adequate support for companies in upskilling and reskilling their workforce and ensuring a state of the art education and training. It must be taken into consideration that shipbuilding is high-tech manufacturing industry which require very specific skills. Therefore, when contemplating transition mechanisms for companies, workers and skills development in the blue economy a special attention must be paid to this industry. Freedom of navigation in high seas, free sea trades and protection of critical infrastructures at sea are the prime principles upon which any Blue Economy policy is founded; naval forces are safeguarding such freedoms. European Naval Yards retain the capability of providing the world most complex (and most expensive) naval ships, thanks to a highly trained and skilled engineering workforce. State owned vessels, albeit serving as defence assets, are best positioned to test innovative green and digital technologies. The European naval industry potential in terms of knowledge and technology provider should be considered in the frame of the blue economy policy. The European waterborne industries have jointly developed a Strategic Research Agenda 2050, encompassing their visions regarding ships & shipping, ports & logistics and blue growth . The European sector has all elements to lead the transition of the Blue Economy to a zero-emission, zero loss-of-life, zero-pollution and competitive economy. Currently however, in Research, Development and Innovation efforts regarding the Blue Economy , the importance of the sector is often overlooked and the agenda’s designed by the scientific community. Cooperation would be the way forward to ensure that scientific knowledge finds the base for implementation in practice. Europe’s Maritime technology sector is at the very heart of the “Blue economy” as a core solution provider enabling the full spectrum of economic activities at sea. Hence, the sector’s strategic role should be adequately recognized and fostered across future EU policy actions. Sector-specific EU actions to counter foreign trade distortions and foster a robust European financing ecosystem to stimulate investments will be crucial to secure the global high-tech leadership of our industry with its vital contribution to EU’s innovation, growth, employment, security and strategic autonomy. Increasing energy-efficiency will be a key driver for waterborne transport. The drivers for energy efficiency are the urgency of reducing emissions and being resource efficient. Even if sustainable alternative fuels would be available, it must be recognized that competition on renewable fuels will also exist in the future and the successful utilization of climate neutral or non-carbon fuels does not justify the use of inefficient systems leading to a waste of resources and energy. To this respect, the digital transition is playing an important role in facilitating and ensuring the full decarbonization, competitiveness and leadership of the sector.
Read full response

Response to Addressing distortions caused by foreign subsidies

28 Oct 2020

SEA Europe is deeply concerned by the lack of effectively applicable trade defense tools able to protect the European maritime technology industry (encompassing shipbuilding and maritime equipment) from rising distortions caused by foreign subsidies. Contrary to most manufacturing sectors, existing trade defense instruments on imports are not fit for shipbuilding amongst others because ships are generally not imported into the EU customs territory (in the sense of “released for free circulation”). Therefore, as explained in detail in its response to the consultation on the White Paper on Foreign Subsidies (WP), SEA Europe strongly favours Option 2 of the Inception Impact Assessment (IIA), i.e. taking legislative action at EU level. Given the specific situation of the European maritime technology sector, it is critical that effective EU measures are found quickly to fill such specific, longstanding trade defense "gap" in order to deter and counteract foreign distortions in our sector. The nature of the maritime technology sector and its current state call for the urgent adoption of a sector-specific solution, i.e. through a major overhaul of existing EU tools (e.g. EU Reg. 2016/1035) based on elements from the WP's Module 1 (but adapted to the specificities of our industry) and/or tailor-made measures within a new EU tool that provide for effective remedies. Non-binding guidance (Option 1) alone would certainly not fill this regulatory gap while reliance on international rulemaking (Option 3) would only delay essential action. Indeed, long-running efforts to establish a legally binding global discipline amongst shipbuilding nations under OECD-sponsored negotiations have so far not succeeded. Nor can tangible results be expected in the foreseeable future at international level, despite the best efforts of the EU: the last "exploratory" attempt at OECD level was halted in December 2019 after several years of unfruitful talks, while the lack of effective remedies in shipbuilding is not even addressed in the WTO reform discussions. A level playing field requires above all the unilateral establishment of ambitious and workable legal rules that can then be promoted in an international context and provide the EU with the necessary bargaining leverage. While the focus of the new tool as envisaged in the White Paper will be distortions in the Single Market, the source of those distortions is external. This requires a strong common and centralised approach towards both the investigations and the resulting redressive measures. Thus, SEA Europe agrees the legal basis for any new measures must be Article 207 TFEU. Moreover, SEA Europe welcomes that the IIA recognises the need for “targeted (stakeholder) consultations (…) to collect further evidence and views on the key issues (..), in particular the points that were not addressed in the White Paper”, and stands ready to constructively engage to this end with the European Commission. By way of conclusion, SEA Europe underlines the importance of taking legislative action at EU level, primarily on the basis of the common commercial policy, and in particular ensuring that the legislative actions which are proposed address distortions faced by the European maritime technology sector, taking into due account the specificities of the sector and the need for urgent action. SEA Europe values highly this Commission initiative which has great potential to help the EU achieve a level playing field, especially critical in the present uncertain global context. Action under this initiative would not be protectionist, but a simple recognition that the EU must not naively favour free trade, and that it must systematically fight unfair competition on the single market and worldwide in order to maintain key EU value chains, including its strategic European maritime technology industrial base with its vital contribution to EU innovation, sustainable growth, employment, security and strategic autonomy.
Read full response

Response to Action Plan on synergies and cross-fertilisation between the civil, defence and space industries

22 Oct 2020

• Civil-Defence synergies action plan, in the frame of the EC industrial strategy, should deliver a coherent approach with the policy and be instrumental to maintaining a competitive edge and strategic autonomy in certain critical defence sector. • Continuously less expensive civil applications driven by globalization of knowledge, access to a wider public and generalized access to data, have shifted the balance between civil and defence development. Innovation always more often, happens in spin-off and SMEs posing issues over security, control and persistence of the supply chain. • Amongst the consequences of the changed geopolitical scenario, with mutated posture of global actors and growing regional powers, made dual-use exploitation to become a relevant element for military development, embedded in top-down national policies such as the Chinese civil-military fusion, which is allowing for sandboxes of instruments such as investment funds, subsidies, tax alleviation, loans and export subsidies in support of the industry, creating a unleveled playing field. • Diverse regional (and within-region) interpretation of the regulations (global, European and National) on export-control for dual use technologies and products, often generates uncertainty and unfairness. With the increased complexity in science, technology, products and systems, such differences are deemed to increase. • Pace at which basic and fundamental knowledge is produced and shared is unprecedented. This happens in all fields of science including space, cyber, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and robotics. While freedom of research is an intangible principle enshrined in the Treaties, at the same time for researchers working in domains critical for defence and security, ways should be considered to protect their knowledge and to find a common understanding and frame for the IPRs protection. • Companies engaged in both civil and defence markets, exploits synergies within the corporate structure, have often demonstrated increased cost-efficient design and production processes overall. Best practices should be recognized. • Although new initiatives such as EDF have been recently established, programs and funds to exploit civil-defence synergies remain limited vis-à-vis US and China. Efficient use of the results of the initiatives funded under the Union programs is therefore of capital importance. Ways should be explored on how to crate mechanism (such as primes/top-ups on the funding rates) for successful projects for their continuation under other programs (eg. H2020/EDF and vice-versa). • Standard hybridization at component and systems level is certain a possible instrument that could reinforce the internal market as well as interoperability of defence assets. However, the maritime sector is highly regulated at national, regional and international level through technical standards enshrined in international conventions whose use in the naval sector should be further analysed and assessed in terms of benefit from their application. • The value chain and partnership approach should be considered as an essential element of the action plan. Upward and downward interactions in the value chain needs to be understood and facilitated for the purpose of exploiting civil-defence synergies., Avenues should be explored how to make use of several Commission partnerships initiatives which are value-chain-based, for the purpose of civil defence synergies. • In the frame of the industrial policy the action plan should encourage flagship initiatives that could serve development of technologies in areas which are already dual by their nature. Initiatives aiming at creating flagships and best practices for dual in the naval/maritime sector could address Coast Guard functions and transport and logistic capacity at sea in the frame of the Military Mobility.
Read full response

Meeting with Daniel Mes (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and FEPORT

19 Oct 2020 · Maritime transport and Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy

Meeting with Roxana Lesovici (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

16 Oct 2020 · The COVID-19 Impact on Europe's Maritime technology sector

Meeting with Daniel Mes (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and Damen Shipyards Group

24 Jul 2020 · Green recovery opportunities for shipping

Response to A EU hydrogen strategy

8 Jun 2020

The EU Hydrogen Strategy for a Safe and Internationally Regulated ecosystem for the maritime sector SEA Europe fully shares the European Green Deal objectives and is prepared to support the actions that will be put in place for its swift implementation in a coordinated effort towards a competitive and sustainable maritime sector. Concerning the initiative at stake, SEA Europe share the intentions and the overall aim of the initiative as lay down in part B of the RoadMap fiche. The strategy for the creation of an ecosystem for maritime applications is twofold: development of a hydrogen supply value chain and development of on board technologies for ships’ specific applications. This aspect may be emphasized in the RoadMap. We would further suggest to consider explicitly the safety of the technologies as key enabling element for their safe deployment, and risk-assessment as the compulsory methodology. Furthermore, as the maritime sector is internationally regulated (through UN Conventions) the international dimension could also be emphasized at least for certain sector-specific applications (such as for maritime), linking the European regulatory framework with its international development. We remain available for any other further clarification you may need.
Read full response

Meeting with Thierry Breton (Commissioner) and

28 May 2020 · Impacts of COVID-19

Meeting with Kerstin Jorna (Director-General Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

11 May 2020 · A brief exchange on the specific situation, challenges and opportunities of the European Maritime Technology Sector, before and after the COVID-19 spread out.

Response to FuelEU Maritime

22 Apr 2020

SEA Europe welcomes the ambition of the European Commission’s “European Green Deal” (EUGD) which is in line with that of the European “Waterborne” Technology Platform (https://www.waterborne.eu/), which aims at providing solutions by 2030, applicable for all main ship types and services, in order to achieve zero-emission waterborne transport by 2050. Significant investments will be necessary not only for RD&I in advanced technologies but also to make existing (green) technologies mature and scalable for waterborne transport applications or to facilitate their market uptake. Significant investments will also be necessary for R&D and the development and deployment of various possible alternative fuels that will meet the energy demands and needs of the entire waterborne sector, to ultimately enable this mode of transport to transit from a low carbon footprint to a full zero-emission mode of transport. In this process, it is will key to optimally integrate technologies and fuel onboard ships, in accordance with the ship’s specific operational profile and the customer’s needs and purposes. For these reasons, any legislation and/or any policy action should support these investments and stimulate flexibility. In other words, legislation and policy actions should refrain from imposing or prescribing specific technological solutions or specific alternative fuels. SEA Europe’s is also of the opinion that current existing energy converters, such as internal combustion engines and LNG technology, with high efficiency will play a significant role in the decarbonization of waterborne transport, if utilized with climate neutral synthetic fuels in the near future. Many fuel options, such as biofuels and synthetic (drop-in) fuels, offer a significant reduction potential and could be utilized with minimal or moderate retrofitting effort of ships. However, these fuels are a mid-term option due to limited availability and regulatory uncertainties. Even if sustainable alternative fuels would be available, it must be recognized that competition on renewable fuels will also exist in the future and consequently the successful utilization of climate neutral or non-carbon fuels does not justify the use of inefficient systems leading to a waste of resources and energy. In addition, the CO2/GHG released during production of fuels/energy carriers can differ significantly, regardless of whether they are fossil, bio, synthetic or non-carbon. The lifecycle assessment of carbon neutral fuels needs therefore to be appropriately performed in order to correctly reflect the holistic GHG emission reduction potential. Besides significant RD&I investments, additional (EU) funds will be necessary to incentivize the development of green technologies, mature sustainable alternative fuels and their optimal integration onboard ships, as well as the deployment of green infrastructure. Additional (EU) funds will also be necessary to financially stimulate first movers. For these reasons, SEA Europe proposes to set-up a dedicated EU Maritime Fund, as an alternative to extending the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) to shipping. SEA Europe’s proposal for a dedicated EU Fund, however, is not intended to stop IMO to establish world-wide MBM, which are indispensable in order to incentivize climate-friendly energy converters / fuels and to discourage the use of carbon intense energy options. To transform waterborne transport into a climate-neutral mode of transport, the necessary significant investments will need to be underpinned by a legal framework that offers legal certainty in the long run to the waterborne sector, including the maritime technology sector. Such a legal framework to provide the necessary legal certainty to invest in the production of green technologies and sufficiently available clean fuels, to implement these technologies and fuels on vessels and to deploy the necessary distribution, storage and bunkering infrastructure.
Read full response

Meeting with Roxana Lesovici (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean), Walter Goetz (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

17 Feb 2020 · Introduction of SEA Europe and the Waterborne Technology Platform and its role and place in the maritime cluster, The main challenges of Europe’s shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers, The vision of SEA Europe and the Waterborne Technology Platform on zero-emission waterborne transport and on the European Green Deal and the role of Europe’s shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers on these matters, 4. The digitalization of the waterborne sector, TRA 2020 in Helsinki and a visit to a shipyard

Meeting with Violeta Bulc (Commissioner) and

24 Sept 2019 · Lunch with maritime stakeholders

Meeting with Andras Inotai (Cabinet of Vice-President Karmenu Vella) and industriAll European Trade Union

18 Feb 2019 · Blue Skills

Meeting with Mauro Raffaele Petriccione (Director-General Climate Action)

8 Jan 2019 · Strategic Research Agenda

Meeting with Rolf Carsten Bermig (Cabinet of Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska)

18 Sept 2018 · shipbuilding and maritime technology industry

Meeting with Miguel Ceballos Baron (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström) and FEPORT

13 Jun 2017 · trade in maritime transport services

Meeting with Karmenu Vella (Commissioner)

18 May 2016 · Blue Growth, Ocean Governance

Meeting with Lowri Evans (Director-General Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

29 Oct 2015 · Competitiveness of the sector, leadership 2020 initiative, RDI and naval innovation, state aid in Asia.

Meeting with Andras Inotai (Cabinet of Vice-President Karmenu Vella)

9 Sept 2015 · Blue Economy, Ocean Governance

Meeting with Tânia Frazão Nunes (Cabinet of Commissioner Carlos Moedas)

12 Jun 2015 · Innovation in Sea Transport

Meeting with Friedrich-Nikolaus von Peter (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

27 Apr 2015 · Meeting with SEA Europe

Meeting with Eveline Lecoq (Cabinet of Commissioner Carlos Moedas)

10 Mar 2015 · Vessels of the Future