The Confederation on European Maritime Technology Societies (CEMT) has responded to an invitation from the european commission to comment on its Maritime Policy Green Paper. In its response, CEMT endorses the need to bring together, in an integrated fashion, the multiple sectors and interests in the marine industry and environment. It strongly believes that the future success of the European maritime industry requires such integration. It therefore recognises and supports the need for the EU to have an integrated maritime policy if this is to be achieved.

However, it considers that such a European maritime policy must be set in the context of a maritime industry which is international and operates in an environment, which does not recognise geographical borders.

For example, in respect of safety and the protection of the environment, it must take cognisance of international legislation and regulation such as that generated by the International Maritime Organisation.

There are a number of specific issues which CEMT believes an integrated European maritime policy must address if it is to provide the foundation of a competitive and successful maritime industry, and these are contained in the enclosed comment. In its response, CEMT also proposed a number of criteria which it considers should be met by a successful maritime policy, and may therefore be used to asses the adequacy and effectiveness of the policy in meeting its strategic objective.

CEMT is an independent confederation of professional institutions (those involved in education and professional development) and learned societies (those facilitating the exchange of information) in the field of maritime technology, in the UK, Netherlands, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Germany. The current chairman of CEMT is Mr. Trevor Blakeley, Chief Executive of RINA.