Answer given by Mr Breton on behalf of the European Commission
28.9.2020
1. Maritime technology[1] is considered as part of the Mobility, Transport and Automotive ecosystem.
Industrial ecosystems cover value chains[2] and have very different dynamics and complexities, but all evolving in the same reality: an integrated single market, with research, engineering, production, assembly and service activities to be spread across different European countries. The ecosystem approach aims at considering the needs of the different actors in the maritime technology sector, in terms of financing and regulatory measures, allowing for a targeted response. The partnership with industry will remain important in delivering on sustainable solutions for the green recovery and transformation in line with circular economy principles and climate-neutrality ambition.
2. National financing could be combined with EU instruments and funding programmes, including cohesion policy. This includes the EU’s BlueInvest platform[3] which is already helping small and medium-sized enterprises in the blue economy shift innovative new ideas to the market[4]. The Invest EU Programme will also be a key instrument to leverage investments for sustainable mobility, including in the maritime sector. Finally, important investment and reforms advancing the maritime sector can be supported by the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
3. In cooperation with stakeholders, the Commission services[5] identified 14 industrial ecosystems[6], grouping sectors with similar complementarities and externalities, taking into account the links across value chains. This was the reason for grouping the maritime sector with the other mobility-related industries in one ecosystem[7]. The sector will also benefit from measures expected in the Tourism and in the Aerospace and Defence ecosystems.
- [1] The Maritime technology sector is referred here as including the two key segments: (i) shipbuilding; (ii) maritime equipment manufacturers.
- [2] From the smallest start-ups to the largest companies, from academia to research, service providers to suppliers, operating across border.
- [3] https://blue-invest.eu
- [4] Combining business advice, grants, matchmaking with investors and guarantees from the European Fund for Strategic Investment.
- [5] SWD(2020) 98 final, Identifying Europe's recovery needs .
- [6] The 14 ecosystems represent around 90% of the business economy value added in the EU.
- [7] For instance, with the COVID-19 crisis, we might need to rethink of mobility in a systemic way to increase safety.