The European institutions and marine manufacturers are playing a very active role in driving forward innovation and the development towards autonomous ships and fully integrated transport systems. The EU is awarding huge amounts of funding to projects and manufacturers to launch their plans for autonomous ships , and has launched several initiatives to take forward the digital agenda in shipping . European Member States like Norway and Finland are at the forefront of developing and testing autonomous ships . Denmark is prioritising digitalisationas part of a national action plan to promote the growth of the industry .
ETF and its affiliated organisations across Europe stand ready to play a crucial role in helping to democratise the decision-making process on the way new technologies are used and steer it to the benefit of maritime safety, the environmental performance of shipping, and equally important to the benefit of the working lives and conditions of maritime professionals and the sustainability of maritime clusters in Europe. This is the condition on which new technologies will realise their full potential for an industry based on social, economic and ecological sustainability.
The ETF is prepared to step up as agents of change in support of a smooth transition resulting in improved safety, high-quality employment and training for European maritime professionals.
The five guidelines for sustainable shipping services are intended to provide European stakeholders with the elements needed to ensure their decisions are aimed at achieving this goal.
You can read more about the five guidelines in the document below.