Investing in Green Technology
On the 16th March 2010, EMEC President and Group Vice President, Ship Power, Wärtsilä Corporation Mr. Jaakko Eskola met with EIB President Philippe Maystadt, in order to explore financing opportunities for marine equipment industry with the goal of contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact of shipping.
The meeting follows the launch of the Green Ship Technology Book 1st edition on 3rd December 2009 which has been very well received by the maritime community and in particular by the shipping industry.
Jaakko Eskola has declared that: “The environmental challenge tops the agenda in all marine related industries” and that although there have been gains in ‘efficiency and emissions levels [of ships], further improvements are still needed’.
The meeting was also the occasion for establishing a high-level relation between the European Marine Equipment Industry and the EIB. EMEC has illustrated the relevance of the marine equipment industry for the European economy - € 42bn turnover and nearly 300.000 direct jobs and nearly 450.000 indirect - and for the achievement of the EU policy goals, particularly in the fields of transport, energy efficiency and environmental protection.
EMEC President has informed EIB President of the structural issues that are currently affecting the maritime cluster and the shipbuilding industry, underlining their repercussions on marine equipment suppliers. Jaakko Eskola also confirmed the specific interest of equipment suppliers for ‘green retrofitting’ whose potential market is 3500 vessels and for the importance of supporting European SMEs in the sector, representing 75% of the marine equipment industry, as well as supporting the overall sector in their export activities (nearly 60% of the European turnover).
The EIB President confirmed the interest of the EIB in supporting the leadership in technology provided by the marine equipment industry as well as possible projects in the area of green retrofitting and motorways of the sea.
The meeting between the two Presidents followed the working meeting between EMEC secretariat and the EIB services held on 8 March 2010. In that occasion, concrete areas of cooperation and possible projects by the marine equipment industry were explored. EIB services made a presentation on the financial instruments available and how they can best serve the purposes of maintaining leadership in technology in Europe and of supporting the European marine equipment suppliers to innovate AND stay competitive in the global shipbuilding industry.
Download the PDF version of the Press Release here
Download the DOC version of the Press Release here
