The three main priorities set out by the ministers in charge of maritime transport in the “Valletta Declaration” adopted on 29 March, following a two day conference with all the different stakeholders (industry sector, European Commission, European Parliament, International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the member states) are: competitiveness; decarbonisation and digitalisation.
The aim of this declaration is to optimise maritime connections and the internal market and make them more efficient, as well as create European maritime clusters at a global level between 2018 and 2020.
Many different issues were tackled. With regard to competitiveness, transport ministers highlighted the need to ensure fair competition and a stable and predictable regulatory framework, “based on high international standards” applicable to security, safety, the environment and social conditions. In this regard, they would also like to step up efforts to create a multimodal network for transport corridors by prioritising cutting-edge technologies and staff training, as well as the recruitment of more women.
On the digitalisation section, ministers again call for swift augmentation of the “Blue Belt” (see EUROPE 10883), which seeks to simplify administrative procedures, whilst maintaining the best security and safety standards in the transport of merchandise, particularly by way of the “e-Manifesto”, a standardised electronic tool for the follow-up of European and non-European merchandise.
Finally, on the decarbonisation section, ministers urge the member states to adopt an “ambitious” greenhouse gas reduction strategy during the spring of 2018, by taking into account the Paris Agreement. In this perspective, ministers are calling on the European Commission to amend the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV Regulation 2015/757) on carbon dioxide emissions from the maritime transport sector, once the new strategy has been set out.
Positive welcome. The ALDE group at the European Parliament welcomed the agreement, particularly the reference to strengthen the recruitment of women. Similarly, the European Shipowners’ Community Associations (ECSA) said that the declaration provided the initial foundations for a future maritime strategy. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)