Today, the European Commission presented the "Compass for competitiveness", a framework of measures that aims to to define the conditions to stimulate productivity and ensure its competitive advantage and is based on Mario Dragi's report on the future of the European competitiveness presented last September. The The new framework of initiatives identifies three main areas, those innovation, decarbonisation and competitiveness, and of security and resilience, and is the basis of Clean Industrial Deal announced by the new European Commission by present themselves within 100 days of the beginning of their mandate which dates back to to last December 1st.

Presenting the "Compass for Competitiveness", the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, specified that the purpose is to enable the Union to competitiveness recovery. Highlighting the strengths of the European Union, starting from the remarkable solidity of the manufacturing and industrial base, by a highly qualified and trained, as well as being the second largest world economy and the largest market in the world, von der Leyen noted that, "at the same time, Europe is also held back by weaknesses. In short, in the last 20-25 years - he has explained - our business model was based on basically on cheap labor from China, on supposedly cheap energy from Russia and on the partial outsourcing of security and investments in safety. These days - he underlined - are over. And today we see that Europe continues to lag behind the United States and China in productivity growth. So we need to correct our weaknesses to regain competitiveness".

The "Compass for Competitiveness" published today by the European Commission has been welcomed by the World Shipping Council (WSC), in particular because - it has explained the association, which represents the main companies that operate in the containerized maritime transport sector - It strikes a balance between sustainability and competitiveness. The WSC, however, urged the Commission to recognise that the liner shipping sector is investing in Europe and invited her to support the sector in its path of decarbonization. "This," observed the president and CEO of the WSC, Joe Kramek - it's time for Europe to seize the opportunity to support maritime transport in the contribute to the competitiveness of a future economy sustainable EU'.

In particular, the WSC appreciated the fact that the new measures are designed to reduce risks when investing in renewable energy and in the production and distribution of fuels renewable and low-carbon emissions for transport. These - noted the association - are essential so that Europe should establish itself as a maritime energy hub.

In addition, the World Shipping Council welcomed the European Commission's commitment to prioritise the completion of the EU single market and the reduction of burdens which - the association highlighted - will be Welcomed by ocean carriers and shippers. According to the WSC, to achieve this goal in the coming years will require the creation of a maritime space without barriers, the elimination of customs formalities for goods transported by sea within the EU, the simplification of external border controls, harmonisation of rules and further reduction of bureaucracy. The WSC has expressed appreciation also for the recognition by the Commission EU that partnerships with industry are essential for make legislation and policies work better and has recommended that this approach focus on defining and policy implementation.