Recently held European Shipbuilding Conference attracted 150 leading representatives from business, trade unions, and government from 15 European countries. Speakers noted the shipbuilding industry's dynamic trend and excellent market prospects. Views were expressed that the European shipbuilding industry is a high-tech branch with a future and it is considered to be an important economic factor and competitive asset. The increase in turnover by European shipyards is substantial and underlines its strong competitiveness. This is an important basis for meeting the challenges of the future and therefore Europe's advanced technological position and market leadership in shipbuilding should be safeguarded in the long term.

This first European Shipbuilding Conference is part of the German government's program during its EU Council Presidency. The event is aimed at launching a European dialogue to ensure that European shipbuilding remains competitive into the future. The Conference is focusing on the question of how the goals of an ambitious program called the LeaderSHIP 2015 Initiative may be achieved. Important considerations include creation of equal conditions for competition on world markets, establishment of a European guarantee fund for ship financing, and an increase of investments in research, development, and innovation. The conference emphasized that a common shipbuilding strategy at European level was absolutely necessary and that it was important to integrate all of the major players at the European and national levels.