EU needs competitive shipbuilding strategy, says study

According to the study, conducted by BALance Technology Consulting, the EU currently has the highest aggregated production value of any region, at around €112.5 billion. But individually shipbuilding nations in Europe were described as too weak to cope with competitive pressure from Asia, where countries have a targeted national shipbuilding strategy.

The next 10 years will determine whether the European shipbuilding and marine supply chain industry can survive and grow or will decline and fail, the study argues, citing strategic moves of to protect national shipbuilding and maritime equipment industries – including more local content requirements, more protective national shipbuilding policies, more financial support and subsidies, and uneven implementation of environmental regulations.

Christophe Tytgat, secretary general, SEA Europe, added: “The study clearly acknowledges that European shipyards or European maritime equipment manufacturers will come under severe pressure over time, due to growing protectionist policies or with China preparing to enter the high-tech ships market sector as a political objective.”

The study recommends catering for the needs of the European maritime technology sector in future free trade negotiations, as well as highlighting the need for the European maritime technology industry to be better financially supported for investments in RDI. A big maritime public-private partnership is suggested as a priority.

“The study contains several interesting recommendations which we hope European policy makers will take forward,” Tytgat concluded.

The study can be downloaded here.