SEA Europe, the European association representing shipyards naval and marine equipment manufacturers, has expressed deep disappointment that the new strategy for economic security presented yesterday by the European Commission "does not go beyond well-known observations and does not provide solutions Viable for strategic industrial sectors such as industry maritime manufacturing". The association noted that if for more than three years, geopolitical tensions and disruptions affecting global markets are evident and that the risks highlighted in the Commission document, ranging from market distortions induced by the State, have long been recognized and repeatedly documented and, with regard to shipbuilding, they are widely known by almost four decades, "however, this new communication merely reiterates known concerns without addressing their concrete implications for the European industrial base".

In particular, SEA Europe expressed disappointment with the fact that whereas, while the new strategy refers to the risks facing also affect shipbuilding, in particular in relation to non-market policies and practices adopted from third countries leading to distortions in global markets and does not offer targeted measures or concrete proposals for restore fair competition, nor means of defence to mitigate the impact of state interventionism by on European strategic industries. "As far as concerns shipbuilding, in particular - explained the association - once again the European Commission fails to offer a solution to the long-standing and well-known gap in the defence of commercial practices in the sector, nor does it attempt to no way to make European Regulation 2016/1035 applicable on protection against injurious pricing practices in the sale of ships. This trade defence instrument - has SEA Europe - was designed to address the challenges of specific characteristics of the shipbuilding sector by imposing a tax on the foreign shipbuilders sold at injurious prices, causing damage to the European shipbuilding industry. Nevertheless - denounced the association - this regulation is currently ineffective, as its entry into force is subject to ratification of the OECD Shipbuilding Agreement of 1994. This blatant failure is particularly worrying, given that the European Commission itself has recognized shipbuilding and production of marine equipment as a strategic ecosystem for resilience, competitiveness and and the security of Europe. In addition, the European Commission is developing a new maritime industrial strategy aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the sector".

"Ignore the international trade dimension and the concrete threats facing the maritime manufacturing industry faces - has highlighted again SEA Europe - risks compromising the effectiveness of of this future strategy. The European maritime industrial chain plays a key role in the defence, transition transport, the blue economy and the technological leadership. Not addressing external distortions and unfair practices not only undermine competitiveness but the maritime economy itself. Weakens the Europe's ability to safeguard its autonomy strategic ".

"For these reasons - explained the Secretary General of the Association, Christophe Tytgat - SEA Europe believes that today's "Economic Security Doctrine" is not up to what is required by the current context geopolitical. Instead of offering a solid response to the challenges that our sector is facing, the document risks turning into a doctrine of economic complacency, a strategy that recognises the dangers but does not act accordingly".

SEA Europe has therefore invited the European Commission to ensure that the next Maritime Industrial Strategy includes strong and concrete measures in the field of trade to restore level playing field and protect capacity to compete, innovate and thrive in a market increasingly distorted global situation. In particular, SEA Europe has reiterated its call for the establishment of a Security Office Maritime Economics within the European Commission to monitor strategic economic risks and threats to the supply chain resilience in the maritime sector, including monitoring developments in global markets for shipbuilding.