The EU's new industrial package aims to protect shipbuilding, promote local production, and reduce reliance on external sources.
The European Commission aims to protect the shipbuilding industry within the European Union, promote the production of strategic equipment within EU borders, and strengthen local production with a new industrial package to be announced on February 10. The package, prepared with the 'Made in EU' approach, seeks to reduce dependency on external sources, particularly in critical sectors such as maritime.
Priority for Domestic Production in Shipbuilding
According to the regulation the Commission is working on, criteria such as EU origin, sustainability, and supply security will also be decisive in public procurement, alongside price. This will encourage the production of strategic maritime vessels such as ferries, research vessels, icebreakers, and tugboats in EU shipyards.
Financing and Incentives
The package anticipates that the European Investment Bank and similar financial institutions will facilitate access to financing for ships and equipment produced in the EU. This aims to enhance the competitiveness of European shipyards and ensure that new orders remain within the union.
Response to Chinese Competition
This new initiative is seen as a protective and revitalizing move for the European shipbuilding sector, which is under increasing pressure from global competitors, particularly China. The Commission emphasizes the fragility of supply chains in strategic equipment and advocates for production to be carried out as much as possible within the EU.
A Broader Industrial Strategy
The 'Made in EU' package is not limited to maritime affairs. It is noted that the regulation is part of a broader EU industrial policy framework that also encompasses other strategic sectors such as defense, energy, and transportation.
The package to be announced by the European Commission on February 10 is expected to take shape based on the opinions of member states and industry representatives and to come into effect in the near future. It is stated that this step could initiate a new era in the European shipbuilding industry.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
