ECASBA Supports Opatija Ministerial Statement

Following the High-level Ministerial Conference held in Opatija, Croatia on 10th March, the country’s Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure issued a statement calling for the European Union to work towards the implementation of a 5 point plan for the future of Europe’s Waterborne Transport Sector.

The statement, issued on 11th March in the presence of European Transport Commissioner Adina-Ioana Vălean, calls for action to:

  • Ensure a carbon-neutral and zero pollution waterborne transport sector,
  • Maximise the use of digital solutions to enhance connectivity and ensure seamless multimodal transport operations,
  • Ensure the competence of future European seafarers and inland navigation workers,
  • Achieve zero accidents in the maritime sector and
  • Ensure the EU maintains an effective and competitive maritime transport sector

Whilst recognising the actions already underway in Europe following the launch of the Green Deal, and through the NAIADES programme, TEN-T Network, European Maritime Single Window environment and similar actions, the statement makes it clear that where possible, agreement on these measures should be achieved at international level, through action in the International Maritime Organisation and the World Trade Organisation.

Welcoming the Ministerial Statement, ECASBA Chair Marco Tak said “ECASBA supports the actions set out in the statement and is committed to working with our parent organisation FONASBA and our European partners to achieve the ambitious but nonetheless achievable outcomes, for the good of both our ship agent and ship broker members and the wider maritime community. ECASBA and FONASBA are already active within the European and international maritime sectors on these matters and we will continue to strive to secure their implementation at the earliest opportunity”.

A copy of the Ministerial Statement can be found here.