One voice for the European Shipbuilding and Maritime Engineering and Manufacturing Industry

Brussels, 23 February 2012

The European shipbuilders and the maritime engineering and manufacturing companies share common interests, concerns and policy objectives. They serve global, highly competitive markets with the highest technology requirements. Under the given conditions, European enterprises succeed based on know-how, innovation, productivity, quality, service and full customer satisfaction. This is only possible with a well-trained and highly motivated workforce and with framework conditions allowing global competition on a level playing field.

Close, effective and trustful cooperation along the maritime value chain is the key to excellent products and mutual benefits. Shared objectives can only be achieved by joining forces. Therefore, the Boards of the Community of European Shipyards Associations (CESA) and the European Marine Equipment Council (EMEC) agreed today to pursue the formation of one European association to represent the European Maritime Technology Industry. The aim is to give a joint home to all CESA and EMEC members and to invite also additional relevant stakeholders to consider this joining of forces.

While elaborating the administrative details, the new Organisation will already start operation as of today on all new initiatives, in particular the renewal of the LeaderSHIP 2015 initiative launched by European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani. The Boards agreed to nominate Lars Gørvell-Dahll as first Chairman and Bernard Meyer as first Vice Chairman. Reinhard Lüken (Secretary General of CESA) will take the operative responsibility as Secretary General of the new organization, with Douwe Cunningham (acting Secretary General of EMEC) as Deputy Secretary General. The first General Assembly will be held in June 2012.

Background Note

The European Maritime Technology Industry generates more than 80 billion € turnover annually and offers employment in high profile jobs for more than 500 000 Europeans. The new associations will represent close to 100% of the European shipbuilding industry in 18 Nations, encompassing the production, maintenance, repair and conversion of all types of ships and floating structures, commercial as well as naval including the full supply chain with the various producers of maritime systems, equipment material, and services.

Eight national associations are already member in both CESA and EMEC.

For further information also see:

EMEC - www.emec.eu
CESA - www.cesa.eu

CESA - Community of European Shipyards Associations - press release