"It is imperative that we regain the ability to shipbuilding of Europe by securing orders from shipowners, including European shipowners'. He stressed this today Christophe Tytgat, Secretary General of SEA Europe, the association representing the European shipbuilding industry, intervening at the a roundtable organised by MEPs Catherine Chabaud and Pierre Karleskind, during which several speakers from the maritime community have expressed the urgent need for a European maritime industrial strategy to support the competitiveness of European shipyards and shipyard manufacturers Marine equipment and shipbuilding projects sustainable and digitised.

The Secretary General of SEA Europe pointed out that The European maritime technology industry aims to Consolidate its global leadership in shipbuilding and in the production of marine equipment, restore the construction of strategic ship types to Europe's blue economy, e.g. in short shipping passenger transport and fishing, and to conquer the emerging markets such as offshore renewable energy and alternative fuel carriers.

Noting that today's event was attended by a large number of Members of the European Parliament and Commission officials Tytgat said that SEA Europe welcomes "with the growing interest of politicians in the competitiveness of the maritime technology sector. In a changing world with new risks and threats - he noted Tytgat - the recovery of industrial capacity is a stability factor for Europe. We want to achieve together with policy makers and other stakeholders of the maritime community, in particular shipowners, offshore renewable energy operators and all sectors of the Blue Economy».

"The European maritime industry - he stressed MEP Karleskind - has great potential for innovation and and we, the European Parliament, but also the Commission European, we have to rise to the occasion. The "green" potential, in particular, it is not sufficiently exploited'.