EC delivers grand vision for future maritime policy

EC delivers grand vision for future maritime policy

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The European Commission today laid out its vision for an integrated maritime policy for the European Union with a 39-page action plan following a 12-month public consultation that ended in June.
   The so-called “Blue Book” and accompanying action plan identify five key areas of action:
   ' Environmentally sustainable use of oceans and seas.
   ' Knowledge and innovation.
   ' Quality life in coastal regions.
   ' European leadership in international maritime affairs.
   ' Visibility of Europe’s maritime identity and heritage.
   “I am convinced that a great part of our future lies in the untapped potential of the oceans,” said EC President Jos' Manuel Barroso. “Our proposal for an integrated maritime policy has been designed to generate growth, jobs and sustainability. We conceived it to promote our common European interest and to seize all opportunities that the oceans offer, while acting in a sustainable manner. It is part and parcel of our strategy to modernize Europe and prepare it for the globalized world.”
   The plan announces, amongst other actions, a new ports policy, which will take account of the multiple roles of ports and the wider context of European logistics. The EC will issue specific policy communications both on ports and logistics next Wednesday.
   The initial reaction from Brussels-based port lobby group European Sea Port Organization was positive. “The consultation on a future European maritime policy has been a worthwhile exercise,” said ESPO Secretary General Patrick Verhoeven.
   “It has not only raised the profile of the maritime economy but it has also succeeded in bringing different commission directorates together. The commission's announcement today that environmental guidelines for ports will be issued next year can be seen as a direct result of this dialogue. We very much welcome this initiative as it will increase legal certainty for port development projects.”
   The EC is now inviting member states to draw up national integrated maritime policies so that it can next year issue a set of guidelines. It also plans to report annually on EU and member states’ actions in this regard from 2009.
   The EC’s full package as well as further information on maritime affairs can be found at: https://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/index_en.html.