European Transport Commissioner and Vice President of the European Commission Siim Kallas voiced his support for the launch of European Shipping Week, claiming it will help to raise the profile of shipping in Brussels "and allow for a good interaction between its multiple players and decision makers."
In a letter to Patrick Verhoeven, Secretary General of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), Commissioner Kallas said there was no doubt that Europe needs a high quality shipping sector "that can compete around the world." Maritime transport is a cornerstone of European industry, he said, playing an essential role in Europe's economy.
He added, "The European Shipping Week should be an opportunity to demonstrate that regulators and industry share the same objective of promoting quality, growth and competitiveness, through better regulation at EU level and supporting effective EU action promoting European interests in the IMO. I have been working hard during my mandate to create a level playing field for shipping on a global level and I am confident that my successor will continue to do so. We must foster innovation, remove the obstacles to the single market and fight for quality shipping in all its facets.
"I give my full support to the European Shipping Week and I am more than pleased that shipping attracts media headlines and political focus for its contribution to Europe's growth and competitiveness," he concluded.
European Shipping Week will be held in Brussels during the week of March 2‐6, 2015 when shipping industry leaders from Europe and around the world will descend on Brussels to meet and network with top legislators from the European Commission, European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
The week‐long series of high level events will bring together the major players in the shipping industry with the primary aim of promoting the strengths and significance of European and global shipping to these important regulatory bodies in Brussels.
European Shipping Week is the brainchild of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and is run by a Steering Group made up of Europe’s main shipping organizations as well as the European Commission and Shipping Innovation. The shipping organizations involved on the Steering Group include: ECSA; Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Europe; European Community Association of Ship Brokers and Agents (ECASBA); Interferry; the European Dredging Association; the World Shipping Council, as well as the European Tugowners’ Association. Other European shipping associations may also be invited to support the initiative and hold relevant events during the week.