European Boating Industry - February newsletter
A. EU Issues of Direct relevance
1. A new stage in the European policy on blue growth
2. Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries re-organises
3. European Parliament elects new President
4. Environmental implementation
B. European Boating Industry news
1. Successful 2nd International Breakfast Meeting
2. British Marine Federation (BMF)
3. European Boating Industry – Activities in 2016 and programme of work 2017
C. Open consultations and calls for EU funding
1. Call for proposals on skills in the maritime technology sector (ERASMUS+)
2. Call for proposals on nautical routes (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund)
A. EU Issues of Direct relevance
1. A new stage in the European policy on blue growth
The Committee of Regions has appointed Christophe CLERGEAU (FR/PES) as rapporteur for its opinion from the Commission on Natural Resources on “A new stage in the European policy on blue growth”. The working document (available on http://cor.europa.eu/en/activities/opinions/pages/opinion-factsheet.aspx?OpinionNumber=CDR%206622/2016) goes in the right direction. The vote in plenary should take place on 11 May 2017.
2. Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries re-organises
The Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), which is the European Commission department responsible for the implementation of the Common Fisheries policy and of the Integrated Maritime Policy and reports to Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, underwent a major internal re-shuffle at the beginning of the year.
Such changes in the organisation chart are always important for two reasons: in the short-term it means that associations such as European Boating Industry have to re-establish some contacts (some valuable contacts are lost but some new opportunities arise) and that ongoing activities are put on hold for a few weeks or months; in the longer-term it also means that some priorities are changing and such structural modifications usually pave the way for new initiatives.
The full organisation chart is available online: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/maritimeaffairs_fisheries/about_us/mission_statement/organisation-chart_en.pdf
3. European Parliament elects new President
MEPs elected on 17 January the Parliament's new president to replace Martin Schulz who stepped down after five years. Antonio Tajani (IT) was elected. Tajani had been the European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship (2010-2014).
4. Environmental implementation
On 3 February the Commission adopted an Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) package.
Implementation of EU rules is in the first place a task for the EU Member States themselves, but the Commission has the responsibility to oversee the application of the common rules. Enforcement remains ultimately a significant tool to ensure the proper implementation of legal provisions, but suffers from lack of resources and knowledge.
The Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) initiative aims to improve the common knowledge about existing implementation gaps on EU environmental policy and law in each Member State; provide new solutions complementary to legal enforcement; address the underlying root and often cross-sectoral causes of these gaps. Policy cohesion should be a significant item of consideration.
Amongst the topics which will be covered, some may have a more or less direct impact on the boating sector: circular economy, Natura 2000, air quality, water, and market based instruments should be monitored.
More information on http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eir/index_en.htm
B. European Boating Industry news
1. Successful 2nd International Breakfast Meeting
On 24 January 2017, boot Düsseldorf and European Boating Industry organised the second edition of the International Breakfast meeting, marking the 5th year of their cooperation. The format of the event has proved successful, with an attendance of 100 industry delegates registered, (compared with 80 at the previous year’s event).
The theme of the event was “Being attractive to new-comers and keeping elderly people on board”, focusing on the changes in the demands of users of boats, due mainly to both demographics and an increasing of digital technology.
In their welcome address, Petros Michelidakis (Director of boot Düsseldorf), Robert Marx (President of boot Düsseldorf) and Piero Formenti (President of European Boating Industry), all underlined the challenging need for boatbuilders to meet the new expectations of boat users, topic which is a growing concern in most European countries.
The first speaker, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Büddefeld (University Niederrhein), made the comparison between the boating industry and the car industry; the car industry has embraced the digital revolution to make their products interconnected for the benefit of users, while the boating industry made progress which need to be deepened so that boaters can enjoy an easier and more comfortable experience.
Teodora Marinska (European Travel Commission) then presented an outlook of what people expect nowadays from their leisure time: more variety of activities, more flexibility, and the possibility to use the digital tools. While this trend is valid for all types of leisure activities, boatbuilders verify its accuracy more and more.
Part of this new trend comes from the fact that people are now used to more collaborative models of economy. In particular, the temptation to “only” use instead of owning can influence the boating industry. Sergio Garcia (Fanautic) presented this emerging economic model in the boating industry, which should be seen as an opportunity to attract new-comers towards boating. If there are less boat owners but more users, the industry will need to follow closely this development.
The second part of the event focused on elderly people. The general demographic trend of an ageing population of boaters, was illustrated by the presentation from Philip Witte (BVWW) of a brand new German study. Although the sector will definitely face a reduction of its traditional base of users, the industry needs to see how it can keep elderly people on board for longer.
Dr. Wolf-Dieter Mell (Institut für Boots-Tourismus) explained the potential difficulties met by elderly people while boating, and hinted at some interesting ways to help them address these difficulties.
The numerous questions from the audience showed how topical this theme is. The complexity of the issue at stake calls for a variety of solutions, which the industry is capable to offer.
Pictures are available on the website: http://medianet.messe-duesseldorf.de/press/boot/main.
2. British Marine Federation (BMF)
The London Boat Show took place from 6 to 15 January 2017. The traditional lunch took place on 10 January, with the participation of European Boating Industry President, Piero Formenti.
Together with David Pougher, President of the British Marine Federation, and Howard Pridding, Chief Executive, and Udo Kleinitz, Secretary General of ICOMIA, they discussed the cooperation between the three organisations. No doubt that 2017 will bring new opportunities for further exchanges.
3. European Boating Industry – Activities in 2016 and programme of work 2017
Achievements of 2016
2016 has been a busy year, and our President Piero Formenti is proud to present the achievements and highlights in his yearly report.
Programme of work 2017
European Boating Industry will keep focusing on the objectives set by its members:
A) Develop & strengthen industrial leadership
B) Develop & strengthen skills & vocational training
C) Support boating-friendly public policies
D) Secure the access to water & the freedom of leisure navigation
E) Contribute to the development of boating/watersport markets in Europe
F) Contribute to the development of boating/watersport markets outside Europe
4. EBI new Website http://www.europeanboatingindustry.eu/
The new website of European Boating Industry was launched in January.
Websites are living creatures which need to be fed: please send pictures, events and any other input you deem relevant so it can be updated regularly.
C. Open consultations and calls for EU funding
1. Call for proposals on skills in the maritime technology sector (ERASMUS+)
To implement the first phase of the Blueprint for sectorial cooperation on skills: €4 million to produce, over 4 years, a European strategy on skills.
Deadline for submission: 2 May 2017
2. Call for proposals on nautical routes (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund)
To develop and promote transnational touristic thematic
routes and transnational thematic tourism products in the fields of nautical tourism and
water sports tourism: €1,5 million (for six projects) over 24 months
https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/call-proposals-nautical-routes-europe
Deadline for submission: 15 March 2017
Green Week 2017
Green Week is the biggest environmental event organised every year by the European Commission. The event will take place this year from 29 May till 2 June, with both conferences and topical sessions in Brussels, and regional events organised in the Member States. The theme of 2017 is “Green Jobs for a greener future”.
A session will be dedicated to “blue jobs” on 31 May in Brussels. 1 June will focus on maritime affairs with a high-level event on "Skills needs in an evolving maritime green economy" in the morning and the Kick-off meeting of the expert group on skills and career development in the blue economy in the afternoon. More information (including registration) on http://www.eugreenweek.eu/
Adriatic Sea Forum
On 27 and 28 April, Budva, in Montenegro, will be hosted the third edition of Adriatic Sea Forum – cruise, ferry, sail & yacht, the itinerant international event by Risposte Turismo.
Over 200 participants are expected to attend the two-day opportunity for discussion, business networking and in-depth study, which has become a benchmark event for all the players in the cruise, ferry and nautical sectors that operate in the Adriatic area.
The event offers an opportunity to come together and discuss the future development of the Adriatic, allowing operators to play a part in the process to promote the area and help the various stakeholders to grasp the benefits and advantages that can be derived from it.
It also offers the chance to share ideas and knowledge, facilitate the development of new common projects and strategies and create opportunities for all the players in the cruise, ferry and nautical sectors operating in the Adriatic area to meet with one another. More information (including registration) on http://www.adriaticseaforum.com/it/.
For your VIP entry tickets, please contact Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
1 January 2017 – 30 June 2017
Maltese Presidency of the EU
14-16 March 2017
European Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Congress (EEVC, Geneva, Switzerland) http://www.eevc.eu/page/about-congress
15-17 March 2017
Second International Conference on Maritime Spatial Planning (Paris, France) https://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/content/second-international-conference-maritime-spatial-planning-15-17-march-2017-paris_en
18-19 May 2017
European Maritime Day in Poole, UK
European Boating Industry, together with its partner Sea Teach, will present the outcomes of the TCC-SCV project.
For more information:
14 June (Brussels)
11h00-12h00: European Boating Industry Council meeting
12h30-14h30: European Boating Industry General Assembly
ICOMIA launched online RCD compliance technical file generator
The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) has partnered with leading CE-marking consultancy, CEproof, to produce the ICOMIA Technical File Generator – a unique software package that simplifies the entire process of creating and managing compliance documentation required by the Recreational Craft Directive.
The ICOMIA Technical File Generator (ICOMIA TFG) is a web based, easy-to-use tool. Users simply enter the key statistics of the craft into the software and instantly obtain a list of all applicable standards as well as the detailed requirements of each of these standards. The ICOMIA TFG will also carry out complicated calculations required for stability and buoyancy as well as allow users to upload external information, for example Declarations of Conformity from suppliers for steering and bilge pump components. The software then generates a bespoke Technical Construction File for each craft, providing only information relevant to that individual craft. This reduces an unknown quantity of complex standards to a tailored list of specific requirements and technical details, allowing users to navigate compliance quickly and efficiently.
To access the ICOMIA TFG visit www.icomia.tech or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.