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The maritime industries, including shipbuilding, ship repair, marine equipment and their related supply chains, play a critical role in Europe’s industrial and economic landscape. These industries contribute significantly to technological innovation, economic growth, and strategic autonomy. However, the sector faces increasing pressure due to geopolitical tensions, economic challenges, and the rapid rise of competitors.
IndustriAll Europe welcomes the proposal for a “new industrial maritime strategy to enhance the competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of Europe’s maritime manufacturing sector”, as highlighted in the European Commission’s mission letter to the Commissioner-designate for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. The letter also stressed the need for a “Sustainable Transport Investment Plan outlining a strategic approach to scale-up and prioritise investments in transport decarbonisation solutions.”
IndustriAll Europe is advocating for a strategy that includes the announced industrial investment plan with social conditionalities attached. This plan should actively promote a resilient, fair and sustainable future for European industry and quality employment. Failing to act could pose significant economic security risks and threaten Europe’s strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty. The discussion around the need for more investments has intensified since the recent Draghi report; however the only measures that are seen are on fiscal constraints, heading to a new wave of austerity.
The new industrial maritime strategy and the new sustainable transport investment plan must ensure that public money supports quality jobs and social dialogue while anticipating and managing the changes underway in the shipbuilding industries. At its core, the strategy must guarantee access to quality training for all workers. Upskilling and reskilling are fundamental to preserving good industrial jobs and keeping the sector’s competitiveness. Workers must be empowered with the skills needed for the green and digital transition.
IndustriAll Europe will develop its demand and specific position on the Maritime Industrial Strategy.
Judith Kirton-Darling, industriAll Europe’s General Secretary says:
“We strongly believe that the shipbuilding sector can have a green and prosperous future and that there is a real opportunity for Europe to lead in this important field. European manufacturing workers have a vital role to play in this respect. They are at the heart of the waterborne transport sector and their contributions are crucial. Upskilling and reskilling of the workforce is key for the sector to preserve its competitive position, for innovation leadership and for good industrial jobs!
“Europe needs more shipbuilding, not less. Shipyards are of strategic importance for energy supply, transport and security in Europe, and European policymakers must take urgent action and adopt a forward-looking industrial investment plan that promotes a resilient, fair and sustainable future for the European maritime industry and its jobs. Failure to do so will not only undermine industrial fabric but also European cohesion, with potentially devastating consequences. We need a Just Transition for all workers in the waterborne industries that leaves no one behind. To make this happen, the participation of workers and their unions in the anticipation and social management of change in the maritime industries is an absolute prerequisite.”