Europe launches Waterbone

A technology platform of industry, national authorities, regulatory bodies, research centres and universities on the maritime industry sector has been launched to maintain Europe’s leading position in the industry.

Europe is the world leader in the design, manufacture and production of specialist, high technology vessels but is facing increasing competition from Asia. Shipbuilders and marine equipment manufacturers recognise that in order to remain the world leader in the sector, they need to innovate and, as a result, have decided to come together to identify the future research needs of the maritime sector.

“The challenge is now to build on the positive momentum generated by recent market trends (European yards? order books stand at their highest level in a decade) and strong fundamentals to consolidate gains and seize future opportunities,” said Commissioner Günter Verheugen at the launch event in Bremen on 25 January 2005. The ‘Waterbone’ is the latest in a series of technology platforms created in the framework of the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6). European research in the maritime sector addresses issues such as preventing maritime oil spills and improving the evacuation of passengers in the event of accidents, as well as basic research into hydrodynamics.

The maritime sector is a strategic European industry. In terms of turnover, the EU is the world’s most important shipbuilding region. Nearly 90% of the EU’s external trade and some 40% of its internal trade is transported by sea. The sector employs about two million people.