On 19-20 September, the European Shipping Summit took place in Brussels. In two days of discussions, Summit participants focused on outlining the future of European shipping, especially in the context of the climate transition.

On the first day, discussions focused on developing the potential of maritime transport for European trade. The key role of shipping in ensuring energy security and supply in the European Union was discussed. The environmental transformation to make maritime transport completely emission-free in the next decades was identified as the biggest challenge facing European shipping. In this context, it was stressed that it is important to focus efforts on providing the financial means to make this transformation possible and that shipowners should have full access to clean marine fuels. Offshore wind energy was also considered important in the decarbonisation process.

In addition to environmental issues, the first day of the conference also dealt with maritime transport safety, and in this context, among others, there was talk about digital transformation and countering the use of shipping for drug smuggling.

On the second day of the European Shipping Summit, we listened to speeches from key decision-makers in the European maritime transport sector. Speakers included : ECSA President Philippos Philis, ECSA Secretary General Sotiris Raptis, President of the International Chamber of Shipping Emanuel Grimaldi and former President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.

The discussion part of the event featured panels discussing the safety of European shipping, maintaining the competitiveness of the Old Continent’s trade and the energy transition. The panellists also reflected on the adoption of a strategy to make all green-related changes human-friendly.

An important element of the conference was the closing speech by the Director-General for Mobility and Transport, Magda Kopczynska, summarising the two-day proceedings.