The LeaderSHIP 2020 strategy as a vision for the maritime technology industry: towards an innovative, sustainable and competitive maritime industry in 2020 (own-initiative opinion)

EESC opinion: The LeaderSHIP 2020 strategy as a vision for the maritime technology industry: towards an innovative, sustainable and competitive maritime industry in 2020 (own-initiative opinion)

The European maritime technology industry is an important sector in terms of employment, directly providing more than 500 000 jobs. Shipyards and firms manufacturing marine equipment make a significant contribution to the economic development of the regions where they are located, and across the entire supply chain, which is particularly important to SMEs. Each direct job in a European shipyard means, on average, seven jobs created in the region.

During the sectoral social dialogue with the shipbuilding industry, the social partners recently agreed on a common position regarding the implementation of the European Commission's strategy for the maritime technology industry under the LeaderSHIP 2020 initiative.

The European maritime technology industry covers all businesses involved in the design, construction, maintenance and repair of all types of vessels and other marine structures, including the entire systematic supply chain, the production of equipment, and services, as well as scientific research and educational institutions.

The aim of the opinion is to set out the measures that should be implemented in the maritime technology industry to achieve the Europe 2020 targets in terms of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, in particular by means of blue growth.