{"id":10864,"date":"2021-06-17T11:01:07","date_gmt":"2021-06-17T08:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shortsea.org.tr\/?page_id=10864"},"modified":"2021-06-17T11:02:58","modified_gmt":"2021-06-17T08:02:58","slug":"mayis-2021-ab-bulteni","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/shortsea.org.tr\/en\/mayis-2021-ab-bulteni\/","title":{"rendered":"May\u0131s 2021 AB B\u00fclteni"},"content":{"rendered":"
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

MAY 2020 EUROPEAN UNION BULLETIN <\/span><\/h4><\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n
<\/div><\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>

 <\/p>

1- 2021 EU Blue Economy report \u2013 Emerging sectors prepare blue economy for leading part in EU green transition<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

The European Commission has published the fourth edition of \u201cThe EU Blue Economy Report\u201d, providing an overview of the performance of the EU-27 economic sectors related to oceans and the coastal environment.<\/p>

The sector directly employed close to 4.5 million people in 2018 and generated around \u20ac650 billion in turnover and \u20ac176 billion in gross value added. Emerging activities such as ocean energy, marine biotechnology and robotics are developing quickly and will play an important role in the EU\u2019s transition towards a carbon-neutral, circular and biodiverse economy.<\/p>

Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevi\u010dius said: \u201cThis report shows that the blue economy is an important driver of today\u2019s European economy, in coastal communities and beyond. Moreover, with the European Green Deal, its importance will only grow in the future. The sector will contribute to decarbonisation and other European environmental objectives with innovative solutions and by reducing its own footprint. I call on Member States and private investors to support this transformation and invest in a sustainable blue economy.\u201dCommissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel said: \u201cThe EU Blue Economy report marks an important milestone towards establishing the European Blue Observatory, a knowledge sharing platform that will enable near real-time monitoring of decarbonisation efforts across Europe\u2019s blue economy sectors.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel said: \u201cThe EU Blue Economy report marks an important milestone towards establishing the European Blue Observatory, a knowledge sharing platform that will enable near real-time monitoring of decarbonisation efforts across Europe\u2019s blue economy sectors.\u201d \u201cAB Mavi Ekonomi Raporu, karbonsuzla\u015fmaya y\u00f6nelik olarak Avrupa\u2019n\u0131n mavi ekonomi sekt\u00f6rleri taraf\u0131ndan g\u00f6sterilen \u00e7abalar\u0131 ger\u00e7ek zamanl\u0131 bir \u015fekilde g\u00f6zlemlemeye olanak sa\u011flayacak bilgi payla\u015f\u0131m platformu olan Avrupa Mavi G\u00f6zlemevi\u2019nin (European Blue Observatory) kurulmas\u0131 ad\u0131na \u00f6nemli bir kilometre ta\u015f\u0131 olacakt\u0131r.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

Main trends 2018<\/strong><\/p>

Most of the data available for the blue economy focus on the so-called \u201cestablished sectors\u201d, seven large sectors ranging from maritime transport and ship building over offshore wind energy to coastal tourism.<\/p>

The report shows an acceleration in the growth of all established sectors from 2013 to 2018 except for non-living resources (oil, gas and minerals extraction). Gross value added from coastal tourism, the largest blue economy sector in the EU, increased by 20.6% compared to 2009, while maritime transport and port activities increased by 12% and 14.5%, respectively. Also the living resources sector \u2013 including fisheries and aquaculture \u2013 is in good health and has generated \u20ac7.3 billion gross profits in 2018, a 43% rise compared to 2009.<\/p>

Employment in the blue economy has remained stable (+1%) over the last ten years, although this figure masks a strong shift between sectors. While employment in the non-living resources dropped by 60% compared to 2015, coastal tourism saw a 45% increase over the same period. Offshore wind is confirming its spectacular development of recent years, with 15% more jobs in 2018 compared to just the year before.<\/p>

Employment in the blue economy has remained stable (+1%) over the last ten years, although this figure masks a strong shift between sectors. While employment in the non-living resources dropped by 60% compared to 2015, coastal tourism saw a 45% increase over the same period. Offshore wind is confirming its spectacular development of recent years, with 15% more jobs in 2018 compared to just the year before.<\/p>

Gross investments in tangible goods decreased by 14.2% compared to 2009: from \u20ac29.8 billion to \u20ac25.5 billion. This decline was mainly driven by decreases in investments in the sectors of maritime transport, non-living resources, and to a lesser extent, port activities. On the other hand, shipbuilding and repair, as well as the living resources sector, reported a positive trend (+8.6% and +12.6%, respectively).<\/p>

Based on the most recent data and analysis, all the established sectors, with the exception of marine renewable energy, suffered severely from the COVID-19 crisis. The coastal tourism sector is one of the most affected with an estimated decrease in tourism activity of 60 to 80%. Comparing the first halves of 2019 and 2020, new orders in European shipyards decreased by 62%. In June 2020, out of 75 ports, 48% had registered a decline in container vessel calls compared to pre-COVID times.<\/p>

Emerging activities pave way for European Green Deal<\/strong><\/p>

The report also looks into emerging sectors, which are still in full development but hold significant potential for the future. Blue biotechnology and the blue bioeconomy can play a crucial role as suppliers of plant-based alternatives to plastics and other petrochemical applications. The sector is still in its infancy, the most notable subsector being algae production with a total turnover of \u20ac 10.7 million in France, Spain and Portugal. In 2022, the European Commission will adopt an algae strategy to foster development of the sector.<\/p>

Emerging marine renewable energy activities including floating offshore wind, wave and tidal energy and floating solar photovoltaic energy can help the EU meet its goal of carbon-neutrality by 2050. Installed capacities are still small and often not yet commercial, but the EU is taking a leading role in its development. In 2020, 66% of global wave energy capacity was installed in the EU.<\/p>

This edition of the Blue Economy report also provides an overview of the maritime security and surveillance sectors, which were not included in prior editions. Digitalisation and technological innovation are transforming the maritime sector in nearly every aspect of its operations, from underwater to air equipment, including an increased usage of robots for different purposes, such as surveys, scientific research, oil and gas exploration, border surveillance, infrastructure inspection, and farming. Global market value of the maritime robotics sector is forecasted to double by 2025.<\/p>

Research expenditure<\/strong><\/p>

Research and education are key enablers for the twin green and digital transitions. A preliminary assessment shows that the majority of Horizon 2020 investments in the blue economy focused on ocean observation, blue growth and blue biotechnology. Between 2007 and 2019, public and private R&D expenditure on wave and tidal energy in the EU amounted to \u20ac3.84 billion. For the next long-term research programme Horizon Europe (2021-27), at least 35% will be devoted to climate-related actions and supporting the transition of maritime industries to climate neutrality.<\/p>

2- Clock ticking on Europe's ETS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

Time is running out for shipping to prepare for the European Union's (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), according to Gibson Shipbrokers.\n\nIn its most recent weekly report, the firm noted that policy specifics are still \u201cwork in progress\u201d and important details remain vague and uncertain.<\/p>

However, EU regulators have now completed a consultation period and are working on an impact assessment, Gibson said. Despite disruption caused by Covid-19, final legislation proposals are still expected in July and there are no signs of any delay. As things stand, ships of more than 5,000gt will be included in the scheme from the beginning of 2022.<\/p>

Shipping\u2019s main concern, according to the broker, is that \u201cthere is a lack of clarity of how shipping carbon emissions will be calculated, particularly for international voyages in\/out of the EU and whether there will be any allowances\u201d. Gibson drew a parallel with the airline industry about a decade ago, which was able to persuade the EU to water down its ETS regulations so that only flights within the European Economic Area were included. The sector was also granted significant free allowances.\nIssues of concern, according to Gibson, include the fact that some voyages involving European ports could be priced out of the market, unless EU regulators address this issue. There is also a currency risk since most shipping markets and carbon are priced in dollars, whereas the ETS is traded in euros.<\/p>

Most critical, however, is who will be liable for the extra costs. The additional cost of low-sulphur fuels for use in Europe\u2019s Emissions Control Area has mostly been passed on to charterers, the broker said, and costs relating to the ETS could be treated in the same way. Ultimately, however, if trading in Europe generates weaker returns than operating elsewhere, shipowners will focus on more profitable trades and shipping costs in Europe are likely to rise as a result.<\/p>

3- EU to push transport sector to rapidly adopt greater use of renewables<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

The European Union had laid out more stringent targets for the transport sector, including shipping. With clean energy transition picking up pace and speed, Europe is at a crossroads when it comes to the energy sector, EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson said yesterday.<\/p>

Simson said that the current global commitments fall short of what Europe needs to reach climate neutrality by 2050, and that all governments need to ramp up action before it is too late. While not mentioning shipping specifically, Simons noted that in transport there was less than 10% of renewable energy sources in 2019, stressing that needs to more than double by 2030 according to the Climate Target Plan.<\/p>

The EU Commission will present its so-called Fit for 55 package in July, with proposals for the revision of the energy efficiency and renewable energy directives; strengthening and extension of the emissions trading scheme, and a carbon border adjustment mechanism, among other new plans. In November, a second set of initiatives will follow in the energy field including hydrogen and the decarbonisation of the gas markets, and a proposal for a regulation on reducing methane emissions, something that could have ramifications for shipping companies with exposure to LNG.<\/p>

\u201cThis is one of the most ambitious policy overhauls in EU history. Offering us a way to tackle climate change, and providing crucial opportunities for the recovery,\u201d commissioner Simson said.<\/p>

Komiser Simson konuya ili\u015fkin olarak \u015fu \u015fekilde bir a\u00e7\u0131klamada bulunmu\u015ftur: \u201cAvrupa Birli\u011fi tarihinin en iddial\u0131 politika revizyonu olan s\u00f6z konusu paket ve y\u00f6netmelik tasla\u011f\u0131, iklim de\u011fi\u015fikli\u011fi ile m\u00fccadelede farkl\u0131 bir yol haritas\u0131 sunmakta ve iyile\u015fme i\u00e7in \u00e7ok \u00f6nemli f\u0131rsatlar sa\u011flamaktad\u0131r.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

S\u00f6z konusu revizyon ile ye\u015fil hidrojenin s\u0131n\u0131fland\u0131r\u0131lmas\u0131 ve ta\u015f\u0131mac\u0131l\u0131k sekt\u00f6r\u00fcn\u00fcn yan\u0131 s\u0131ra b\u00fct\u00fcn alanlarda kullan\u0131m\u0131n\u0131n sertifikaland\u0131r\u0131lmas\u0131 amac\u0131yla bir metodoloji olu\u015fturulmas\u0131na ili\u015fkin kurallar ortaya konulacakt\u0131r.<\/p>

\u201cBy rolling out clean technologies where Europe is leading, and by developing new lead markets, for example in renewable hydrogen, we will support growth. Policy measures promoting direct fossil fuel combustion should be excluded from the scope of the obligation,\u201d she said. With recent events in the oil and gas sector, it is becoming increasingly obvious that shipping will also need to step up its zero carbon transition game.Avrupa\u2019n\u0131n \u00f6nc\u00fcs\u00fc oldu\u011fu temiz teknolojilerin yayg\u0131n bir hale getirilmesi ve yenilenebilir hidrojen gibi yeni \u00f6nc\u00fc piyasalar\u0131n geli\u015ftirilmesi sayesinde b\u00fcy\u00fcmeyi destekleyece\u011fiz. Fosil yak\u0131tlar\u0131 destekleyen politikalar\u0131n zorunluluk kapsam\u0131ndan kald\u0131r\u0131lmas\u0131 gerekmektedir.\u201d <\/em>(Kaynak: www.splash247.com)<\/p>

4- SCHENGEN AREA \u2013 BORDER VISAS FOR SEAFARERS\/EES<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

BACKGROUND: The issuing of border visas for arriving and departing seafarers, often at short notice, is paramount in ensuring that crew changes and repatriations do not avoid cause delay or disruption to the movement of ships and the efficient movement of cargo at European ports. In the Schengen Area there is significant variation in the interpretation of the applicable regulations and therefore the ability of ship agents to readily obtain transit visas for on- and offsigning crew.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Proposals by DG-HOME to review the Annexes to Regulation 810\/2009 that establish the rules for the issue of border visas, with the possibility that further restrictions could be placed on the issue of same, is also a matter of concern. The planned introduction in 2022 of the Entry-Exit System (EES), with its emphasis on electronic verification of passports and visas using biometric data, may also impact on crew changes and on non-EU seafarers travelling on International Labour Organisation-approved Seafarer Identity Documents.<\/p>

 <\/p>

ECASBA POSITION:\nGiven the vital role played by the ship agent in overseeing and coordinating the arrival and repatriation of ship\u2019s crew, ECASBA and its members should be consulted whenever any new developments in laws or procedures related to the issue of border visas are proposed.<\/p>

 <\/p>

The following issues are important for the agent:<\/p>

 <\/p>