EUROPEAN SHIPPING WEEK RECEIVES PATRONAGE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
European Shipping Week has been granted the European Parliament’s official patronage by its President, Mr Martin Schultz.
Commenting on European Shipping Week, Mr Schultz said his institution appreciated the opportunity for open dialogue between policymakers and representatives of the shipping industry to debate the future of European shipping policy.
In a letter to Niels Smedegaard, President of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), Mr Schulz said: “As you are aware, the transport sector is the driving force of the EU economy, and Europe is a world leader in both manufacturing and transport operations. The European Parliament considers that the creation of a European Transport Area is an important priority, and, with regard to maritime transport, has called for the establishment of a real European transport space without barriers, a so‐called ‘Blue Belt’, which would facilitate the formalities for ships operating between EU ports.”
Welcoming the European Parliament’s patronage, Patrick Verhoeven, Secretary General of ECSA, said: “It is essential that the regulators see the value of working with industry through an event such as European Shipping Week. The European Commission and the European Council of Ministers, through the Malta Presidency, already sit on the official Steering Group. Working with our colleagues at the European Parliament can only be good news for next year’s event and for shipping in general.”