GEAR | Interferry to co-host European Shipping Summit workshop urging short sea cargo increase

Global trade association Interferry is co-hosting a workshop at next month’s European Shipping Summit in Brussels to stress the importance of shifting more goods transport from road to short sea services, notably through better use of European Union funding to enhance the sector’s competitiveness.

The workshop, titled “How to increase the share of maritime transport in Europe’s trade,” will take place at 09:30 local time on September 19, 2023, in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels and is open to all interested professionals.

Shipping associations from Cyprus, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain are co-hosting the session, where Interferry’s key input will be provided by regulatory affairs director Johan Roos and Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu.

“The European transport system is widely over-reliant on the road network,” said Roos, “leading to congestion and infrastructure rundown, whereas short sea shipping can offer a more viable economic and environmental alternative. I look forward to welcoming decision makers and industry participants to our discussion on how best to support our vision while keeping a level playing field and improving the overall sustainability of the transport system.”

The 2023 European Shipping Summit on September 19-20 is organised by the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) in collaboration with Interferry and other maritime associations. The event features industry sessions, networking opportunities, and high-level dialogues focused on European and international policy makers, regulators, and industry stakeholders.

Registration is via www.europeanshippingsummit.eu.