By Martin Banks - 3rd February 2012
We need to create new economic activities
Corinne Lepage
A parliamentary hearing has been told the EU can play a "crucial role" in helping to breathe new life into Europe's ailing maritime regions.
The event on Thursday was organised by the Rennes-based Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) and parliament's seas and coastal areas intergroup.
Discussions focused on the diversification of European shipyards, ways of improving industrial competitiveness and Europe's leadership in the maritime industries sector.
French ALDE deputy Corinne Lepage, who chaired the debate, said these issues were "fully in line" with the EU's much-vaunted 2020 strategy and the commission's integrated maritime policy.
Lepage said, "We need to create new economic activities, but ones that correspond to tomorrow's markets, not yesterday's.
"A real source of jobs lies in transforming our existing industries, and the shipbuilding industries are a perfect example of this.
"The technologies are out there to boost and diversify the shipbuilding industries: offshore wind turbines, marine energies, eco-ships."
She added: "Europe risks missing out on the third industrial revolution if we do not start investing right now in research and innovation by drawing on existing sectors.
"We have unequalled skills in Europe in shipbuilding and repair, so let us create the conditions to conserve them and put them to good use.
"We would like to speed up the differentiation and diversification of maritime industries towards sectors with future potential, such as marine energies, the energy-efficient eco-vessel of the future or maritime infrastructures.
"In this regard, the EU can play a decisive role."
She added, "Our aims are therefore political. The future EU innovation strategy and the future EU regional policy need to take full account of the importance of this industrial challenge."
The deputy told the meeting that a "strong consensus" was emerging between Europe's regions on how to pave the way for the future of maritime industries.
The European commission was represented by Valentina Superti, a member of the cabinet of EU industry commissioner Antonio Tajani and Fabrizia Benini, head of unit at the maritime DG.
Benini said the commission "wants to focus on blue growth," adding, "Growth will only be possible if we work together with the regions, the council and representatives from different sectors of industry."
The hearing comes as the commission continues to work on its "blue growth" initiative with a communication due out at the end of this year.
