Joint paper: Resilient waterborne logistics supply chains are key to EU competitiveness
17 industry organisations representing the European waterborne ecosystem, including the ETF, published joint paper highlighting their priorities in view of the upcoming maritime and port strategies. Key initiatives recently proposed include promotion of labour upskilling and quality employment, regulatory simplification, lowering market entry barriers to enhance competition, facilitating access to finance to bolster competitiveness, the attention to industrial clusters and improving policy coordination at both the EU and national levels.
The waterborne ecosystem is a dynamic, multifaceted industry comprising a diverse spectrum of public and private stakeholders, ranging from maritime and hinterland infrastructure managers and operators to product manufacturers and service providers. As a cornerstone of the European economy, the sector facilitates nearly 90% of the EU’s international trade, accounting for 81% of external trade and 40% of internal trade. It is also a key driver of employment and economic growth, providing 4.2 million direct jobs and contributing approximately €500 billion annually to the EU’s Gross Domestic Product.
The statement highlights the importance of workers for the waterborne sector, acknowledging seafarers, R&D experts, dockers, port workers, port service providers and those in associated logistics form the backbone of the industry. Labour shortages threaten the effectiveness and competitiveness of the sector. Good working conditions not only attract investment in innovation but also reinforce the efforts of responsible firms. Signatories therefore call for the upcoming European strategies to include a strong social and labour dimension, developed in cooperation with social partners, and aligned with the upcoming Quality Jobs Roadmap. Measures must promote high-quality employment, strengthen social dialogue, and enhance training and upskilling opportunities for workers.
