The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an opinion calling for an industrial strategy for the maritime technology sector.

The EESC is a consultative body made up of representatives of workers' and employers' organisations and other interest groups that acts as a bridge between the EU decision-making institutions and its citizens. It delivers opinions on EU issues to the European Commission, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament.

The strategy highlights 4 main working areas: market access and conditions; employment and skills, access to finance and research and development and innovation. Finally, the EESC calls for the creation of a “Maritime Expert Group” and a “European industrial alliance for the maritime technology sector” as two tools to improve and regain global competitiveness for the Maritime Technology sector.

European Boat Industry attended the meeting where the industrial strategy for the maritime technology sector was discussed and subsequently contributed to the recently published strategy. EBI tabled a number of amendments, reminding the committee that the recreational boating industry remains fundamentally #MadeInEurope and must be protected, EBI also pointed out that there is still work to be done in a number of areas such as the recycling of end-of-life vessels. Several of the EBI's recommendations have been taken into account.

You can read the strategy here.