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Visit to the largest port in Europe, that of Rotterdam, was made by the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas. He also participated as the keynote speaker at the “European Cruise Summit,” as part of “CLIA Cruise Week,” and held a working meeting with CEOs of cruise companies and shipyards from around the world.
The Port of Rotterdam hosts 28,000 deep-sea vessels and 91,000 inland waterway vessels each year, and last year it handled 435.8 million tons of cargo.
“The Port of Rotterdam is not just the largest in Europe, but it is also a leader in the energy transition, investing heavily in sustainable electric power, green hydrogen infrastructure, and utilizing clean forms of energy in its land facilities,” emphasized the Commissioner, highlighting that it is also “the leading refueling port, offering alternative fuels and preparing for the future with hydrogen and ammonia refueling.”
“It is a port that leads, innovates, and is already applying measures of the integrated European strategy for ports, which we will present in the second half of the year,” said Mr. Tzitzikostas.
The Commissioner met with CEOs of cruise companies and shipyards from around the world, with whom he exchanged views on “the challenges, the future and opportunities of European cruises, but also the imminent changes in the context of the transition to a new era,” as mentioned in a relevant announcement.
Mr. Tzitzikostas emphasized the importance of Europe’s leading position in cruise ship construction, as “European shipyards are the only ones globally building iconic and state-of-the-art cruise ships,” while he noted, “the economic prospects for the sector are positive, with an expected annual growth rate of 4% – 5% globally, demand that already exceeds pre-pandemic demand.”
Additionally, in his keynote speech at the European Cruise Summit, Mr. Tzitzikostas pointed out, among other things, that “the event’s agenda is extremely critical for the future of the European cruise, as it includes priority issues such as cruise ship infrastructures, industry competitiveness, responsible tourism management, sustainable fuels, and skills of the workforce that works in cruising.
“Cruising is a sector of immense economic importance for Europe, connecting the continent with the rest of the world,” he said.
The Commissioner also referred to “the challenges facing cruising, in the current environment with global tensions and regional instabilities, which inevitably affect maritime operations.”
Regarding the security issue, Mr. Tzitzikostas stressed that “the safety and protection of passengers and crew is always our top priority” and immediately added: “Today’s reality requires us to constantly be vigilant. It requires us to adapt quickly. And that’s what we do. We invest in a strong and coordinated approach to maritime safety, at the EU level of course, but also in collaboration with our international partners.”
Referring to the issue of “competitiveness of European cruise,” the Commissioner pointed out that “the cruise sector plays a vital role in Europe’s tourism landscape, promoting economic growth in coastal areas and showcasing the beauty of our continent,” and that “the International Cruise Association (CLIA) highlights the industry’s contribution to employment, economic growth, and technological progress.”
“Indeed, the cruise sector is innovative and is a key player in the European shipbuilding industry but we must recognize that today it faces significant challenges. I understand the fine balance between promoting economic growth and ensuring environmental sustainability. This dual perspective shapes our approach to supporting the transition of the cruise industry. I personally consider this a strength. Competitiveness and sustainability must go hand in hand. It is the only way to ensure the long-term success of the sector. For Europe, the keys are economic resilience and the leadership role of cruising. The new integrated European maritime strategy we are preparing conveys precisely this ambition for the maritime sector. It includes issues such as fleet renewal and retrofitting, financing and investments, innovation, international cooperation and aspects of security and defense. And the cruise sector will surely have a crucial role to play, especially in relation to modern shipbuilding and retrofitting,” continued Mr. Tzitzikostas.
Regarding the sustainability of the sector, Mr. Tzitzikostas stressed that regulations exist, as does the EU’s will to support cruising in the transition process. “But besides financing and regulation, we also need cooperation. Cruise companies, national authorities, and port operators must collaborate and invest in new sustainable fuels and innovative technologies. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting in April will be a pivotal moment for creating really equal competitive conditions globally for the maritime sector. We urgently need to approve an ambitious package of medium-term measures. Also, digitization will contribute to increasing efficiency, reducing the carbon footprint of the maritime sector,” he emphasized.
The Commissioner also mentioned the need for training and skills upgrading of workers in the cruise sector, while he called ports vital for cruising, which he pointed out “must be equipped to face future challenges.”
“We are already working on a new European strategy for ports, which will examine all issues. Economic security and cyber security, competitiveness, sustainability, military mobility, energy transition, and resilience. The cruise sector will be a key partner in shaping this strategy,” he said.
Finally, Mr. Tzitzikostas urged cruise people to cooperate “to ensure together that the sector remains at the forefront of innovation, a key driving force of the European economy and a pioneer in environmental sustainability.”
“This is how we will guarantee the continuous increase in the number of cruise passengers,” concluded the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.