European maritime industries secure today more than 2 million jobs. They are of strategic and vital importance to Europe, and in particular to major coastal regions building on a rich heritage of know-how and innovative skills.

Does the changing seascape for the maritime industries endanger the strong position of this centuries-old European industry? Can industry manage to weather out the financial, economic and environmental challenges? What position can be maintained? Will European industries manage to harness some of the great business opportunities offered by the continent's transition to a greener maritime economy? Is the sector able to attract a new generation of workers they will need to remain world leaders in innovation?

The MIF Plenary aims to directly tackle these sensitive questions, provide an opportunity to debate and map out a common strategic vision for the sustained future of Europe’s maritime industries.

P R O G R A M M E

Wednesday 19, 14:30-18:30

Room: Paraninfo (Laboral)

Key note speeches:

Ms. Ruth Paserman - Cabinet of Vice President Tajani,

Member(s) of the European Commission

Marnix van Overklift, Chairman of the European Community of Shipowners' Associations (ECSA)

Moderator: John Richardson, Fipra International Policy Advisers

15.00-16.20 SESSION I: Perspectives of the European maritime industry renewed growth through innovation

Reinhard Lüken, Chairman CESA: Prospects of Maritime Markets

Peter Scherrer, General Secretary of the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF): Employment Future in Maritime Europe

Govert Hamers, President IHC Merwede, MIF WaterBorne: Innovation for Growth

Victor Schoenmakers, Director Port of Rotterdam Authority, Chairman of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO): Opportunities of Greening

Stelios Kyriacou, Chairman of EMECrid

16h50 – 18.00 SESSION II: Maritime Future Panel

Key issues to be discussed: Which crisis exit strategy for the maritime industries? What kind of European maritime industries can we expect within the 2020 perspective? Growth opportunities linked to the transition to a greener maritime economy? How to attract a new generation of maritime staff and tackle the possible skills gap?

Reinhard Lüken, Chairman CESA

Stelios Kyriacou, Chairman of EMECrid

Marnix van Overklift, Chairman of the European Community of Shipowners' Associations (ECSA)

Victor Schoenmakers, Chairman of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO)

Allan Graveson, the European Transport Workers' Federation

Gesine Meißner, Member of the European Parliament

Paul Nemitz, Head of Unit for Maritime Policy Development, Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission

18:00 Conclusions and MIF strategic statement: Corrado Antonini - Honorary Chairman of the Committee of EU Shipbuilders Associations (CESA)

(Lead: Maritime Industries Forum Secretariat)