The European maritime transport and port sectors are facing many changes and challenges. Some are economic, such as globalisation and the persistent weakness in some major economies. Others are technological, such as automation, robotisation, digitalisation and environmental problems. And some challenges come from within the industry itself: the increasing size of ships; shipping and port alliances; the growing integration in supply chains and logistics; outsourcing and flexible contracts.

In such times trade unionists should be able to count on an ever-deepening knowledge and understanding of these trends and challenges. That is vital for them to carry out their responsibilities and strive for more and better European maritime jobs, growing and wealth-generating European maritime industries, and fair and decent working conditions.

To support unionists in this, ETF is carrying out an EU-funded project. The main objective is to organise training sessions for ETF members in the maritime transport and port sectors, which will cover the most relevant developments and trends affecting these sectors in Europe.

The training sessions will provide an insight into the complex economic and financial decision-making processes in the maritime and port industries, and enhance activists’ capacity to contribute in a more significant manner to social dialogue challenges.

The training sessions will take place in 2018-2019, covering the following topics:

• The business models and strategies of shipping lines, terminal operators and other relevant players in global logistics
• Trends that disrupt the shipping and port industry
• National and EU policies for maritime transport (including ports)
• The role of labour in ports and shipping operations