von der Leyen re-elected - Reader Association: Politics aligning with competitiveness
The German Shipowners' Association (VDR) has urged the re-elected EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to strengthen European shipping. VDR President Gaby Bornheim stated that shipping policy needs to be focused on growth and securing competitiveness in the coming years. The VDR based in Hamburg noted that Ursula von der Leyen has already demonstrated in the past five years that she can set important milestones for a sustainable future of shipping.
Global protectionist tendencies are a concern for shipping, according to the VDR. The EU must defend free trade.
"Green Deal" poses challenges
The "Green Deal" presents significant challenges to shipping, according to the VDR. Climate neutrality and competitiveness must be secured in parallel, the association demands. The Commission aims to achieve the goal that EU member states no longer harm the climate by 2050 with the legislative package "Fit for 55," which also applies to shipping. According to the Commission, three to four percent of the EU's total CO2 emissions came from shipping in 2021.
Since the beginning of the year, shipping has been part of the EU Emissions Trading System. The change initially affects larger ships that call at EU ports. Shipowners must buy certificates to offset emissions. It is planned that the rules will be gradually tightened. From 2025, the "FuelEU Maritime" regulation will apply, which requires ships to consume less climate-damaging energy. Penalties will be imposed for non-compliance. The regulations will become increasingly stringent over time.
VDR against "regional special paths"
The VDR calls for EU laws to be aligned with the requirements of the international maritime organization IMO. "Regional special paths are not practical in global shipping," the association emphasizes. The IMO based in London is a specialized agency of the United Nations, to which more than 170 countries belong. Its goal is to make international shipping climate neutral by around 2050.
- Ursula von der Leyen, having been re-elected as EU Commission President, was urged by the German Shipowners' Association (VDR) to reinforce European shipping's future competitiveness.
- The VDR, based in Hamburg and led by President Gaby Bornheim, emphasizes that shipping policy should focus on growth and securing competitiveness in the forthcoming years.
- Global protectionist tendencies pose a concern for shipping, with the EU needing to safeguard free trade, as asserted by the VDR.
- The "Green Deal" poses significant challenges for shipping, demanding that climate neutrality and competitiveness are secured parallelly, according to the VDR.
- The Commission aims to achieve the goal that EU member states cease harming the climate by 2050 with the "Fit for 55" legislative package, which also applies to shipping.
- The VDR is against the concept of "regional special paths" in global shipping, advocating for EU laws to align with the IMO's requirements.
- Reading this article, you'll find that Bornheim, from the influential Hamburg-based Reader Association, has expressed support for the EU's efforts towards a sustainable shipping future under Ursula von der Leyen's leadership.
