At an informal meeting in the Cypriot capital on Wednesday 29 April, the EU Ministers for Maritime Affairs adopted the 'Nicosia Declaration', setting out seven priorities to support the transformation of the European maritime sector and its workers.
“Given the geopolitical tensions we have faced in recent months, we are sending out a clear political message today: European shipping is not only competitive, but it also cares about the human dimension”, said Marina Hadjimanolis, Cypriot Deputy Minister for Maritime Transport, ahead of the meeting.
The Declaration highlights the need to adapt seafarer training to a sector undergoing major change. These seafarers will need to develop new skills in cybersecurity, the management of onboard digital systems and the use of alternative fuels, against a backdrop of the gradual decarbonisation of maritime transport.
In addition to the technological challenges, the text also addresses priority social issues. The ministers stressed the need to improve the safety of workers at sea, to better anticipate the ageing of the workforce and to strengthen social dialogue. The inclusion of women in the maritime sector is also one of the major priorities, and is an “essential condition for the competitiveness of the sector”, according to the Cypriot minister.
During the meeting of ministers in the afternoon, several Member States stressed the need to remove the persistent obstacles to the presence of women on board ships, who are still largely in the minority. For a summary of the Declaration: https://aeur.eu/f/lr6 (Original version in French by Juliette Verdes)