Brussels, 22/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - Presenting his annual report on Tuesday 22 September, the president of the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA), Marnix van Overklift, warned against protectionist measures in the sector, above all during these times of crisis. “Protectionism must be avoided” and attention should be focused on “financing sound projects”, he stressed, underlining that protectionist practice already encountered in the sector (restrictions imposed on crews, flag requirements) has increased in recent times. According to ECSA, which aims to maintain if not reinforce the strong position of European maritime transport, it is also important to sort out the banking sector and to avoid speculation when it comes to shipbuilding. All subsidies to shipbuilding should be avoided, ECSA states, fearing that, with growing production in Korea and China, the sector will be faced with overcapacity. Tackling the question of greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping sector, Overklift took a clear stance in favour of a solution at international level. ECSA prefers a negotiated solution within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) rather than resorting to binding norms at regional (European) level. “We are in contact with the European Commission' (which, given the lack of progress at the IMO, plans to suggest measures at European level) but, as Overklift says, “the natural vehicle” for this kind of discussion is the IMO. He went on to specify that it was first of all necessary to see what would be the basis for calculating emission levels (2005 or today), how world trade will evolve and what the results of the United Nations summit on climate in Copenhagen will be. The aim of the latter is to establish a global target for reducing CO2 emissions. Speaking of the future EU maritime policy and the European Commission's communication presented on this subject in January this year (EUROPE 9822), Overklift said this was a “sound basis to work on”. This strategy must now be implemented “to maintain a framework within which EU shipping can compete in the global framework”, he asserted, underlining the fact that ECSA was willing to work with the European institutions, in particular with the new European Parliament. (A.By./transl.jl)