Level playing field at Europort 2013

Addressing an invited audience that included ambassadors and shipowners and trade mission delegations from China, Russia and Brazil, Mrs Schultz said the sector needs frontrunners to face challenges head-on.

“Intelligent, clean shipping is the future. That’s where the opportunities for innovation are – and the opportunities for strengthening our competitive position,” she said.

“The future of the maritime industry depends on the availability of enough skilled professionals. We must do everything we can to attract talented young people,” she added.

This year’s Europort hosts ‘Future Pioneers’ organised by Maritime by Holland and Ahoy Rotterdam to bring together marine equipment business leaders with the designers and engineers of tomorrow.

The conference programme also includes the Mare Forum, a two-day ballast water management conference and the CEDA Dredging Forum, as well as advanced technology conference.

Europort 2013 is said to be a sell-out, with 1,062 companies from 40 countries attending.