SEA Europe – Joint forces for a strong maritime Europe
European shipbuilders, shiprepairers and maritime engineering and manufacturing companies have launched a new joint representation in Brussels. In its Founding Assembly held in Paris on 1 June 2012, 22 national associations from 18 countries have launched SEA Europe, Ships and Maritime Equipment Association.
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The new Association is representing a sector of more than 500 000 jobs and 80 billion € turnover. As Chairman the Assembly elected Lars Gørvell-Dahll, Senior Vice President at Kongsberg Gruppen ASA.
Mr. Gørvell-Dahll said: “Our industry is a major asset for Europe. The ability to develop, produce and serve top performance ships and other maritime equipment is the key not only for a competitive and sustainable sea-borne transport of the future but also for a wide range of other business activities at the oceans, seas and inland waterways. The world is increasingly depending on resources form the oceans from energy to food, from minerals to space. To make the public as well as policymakers understand better the strategic importance of the sector, we need a strong voice in Brussels. SEA Europe is from now on this one voice and it will have as its focus to deliver results for its members and for the society.”
Shipyards and equipment makers
mostly share common interests, concerns and policy objectives. They serve global, highly competitive markets with the highest technology requirements. The market conditions are under considerable pressure as demand in many segments continues to be weak. At the same time, due to sharply increasing fuel cost, regulatory pressure to reduce emissions to the environment and strong growth prospects for off-shore hydrocarbon as well as renewable energy, investments in maritime industries are expected to see strong growth.
SEA Europe will conduct its work in a large array of working groups complemented by sector committees dealing with specific market segment matters. At its focus stands LeaderSHIP 2020 the Initiative by Commission Vice-President Tajani to rebuild a new comprehensive industry policy for the sector.
To assist the Chairman the Founding Assembly elected the following persons as Vice Chairmen:
* Bernard Meyer, Managing Partner of Meyer Werft, Germany
* Govert Harmers, President and CEO of IHC Merwede, the Netherlands
* Willy Salamon, President and CEO of Arno Dunkerque, France
* Dirk Lehmann, Managing Director Becker Marine Systems, Germany
* Kjeld Dittmann, Managing Director Lyngsø Marine A/S, Denmark
* Santiago Crespo, Managing Director Marine Business Unit Ingeteam S.A., Spain
As Honorary Chairmen were elected:
* Corrado Antonini, President of Fincantieri, Italy and CESA Honorary Chairman
* Hans Hoffmann, EMEC Honorary Chairman
Reinhard Lüken was appointed as Secretary General and Douwe Cunningham as Deputy Secretary General. While Mr. Lüken has announced his departure latest by the end of 2012 as he is to take up the position as Managing Director of VSM, the German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association, his long experience in Brussels at the helm of CESA should help SEA Europe to a sound start. Efforts to fill the up-coming vacancy have already begun.
The existing sector associations Community of European Shipyards Associations (CESA) and the European Marine Equipment Council (EMEC) will continue to operate to serve contractual obligations with the European Commission. Furthermore, CESA will continue its active contribution to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at which it enjoys a consultative status.
See also www.SEAEUROPE.eu
