Shaping Europe's maritime future
The European Commission, on the initiative of Mr. Martin Bangemann, Commissioner responsible for industry, has produced a communication entitled "Shaping Europe's maritime future - a contribution to the competitiveness of Europe's maritime industries". This communication analyses the position of the various maritime industries within the European Union, and then considers possible actions to improve their position in relation to the industries of third countries. The industrial sectors considered are: - Shipbuilding; - Ship repair; - Maritime transport; - Ports; - Marine resources, fishing, energy, and deep sea operations. The Commission's proposals for action to be taken include a strong focus on research and development. The Community's specific RTD programmes in the fields of information technologies (ESPRIT), and telematics applications presently provide considerable support to RTD in the maritime industry. The Maritime Information Society (MARIS) initiative of the G7 group of industrialized nations is also a major force for the development of information technologies in the maritime sector. More specifically, the Community's recent initiative to create research/industry task forces in a number of priority sectors has led to the creation of the "Maritime systems of the future" Task Force, which should be a major catalyst for maritime research and development through the Community's specific RTD programmes. Community support to this sector may also be provided through the Community's vocational training programme, LEONARDO DA VINCI, with regard to the training of the maritime industries' workforces; and through the Community initiative ADAPT, which provides support to areas undergoing industrial change. Other areas of action proposed by the Commission include: - Development of industrial cooperation, both inside the EU and with third countries; - Ensuring fair competition; - Modernizing the role of public authorities. The Communication complements another on the maritime sector, entitled "Towards a new maritime strategy", which focuses on the competitiveness of EU shipping (see RCN 5811).