4 April 2011 - PRESS RELEASE - Ecorys has been contracted by the European Commission to identify growth opportunities for the European shipbuilding industry and its marine equipment suppliers. Together with consortium partners CE Delft and IDEA Consult, Ecorys will identify possible elements for future policy initiatives for the sector, based on innovation and environmental efficiency.

Ecorys and partners are carrying out a study concerning the impact of environmental trends affecting the shipbuilding industry and the market opportunities deriving from them. This encompasses greening trends within and outside of the shipbuilding sector. An example of a relevant external trend is the growing need for ships in the process of constructing and maintaining of offshore wind parks.

The analysis includes shipyards, but also focuses particularly on marine equipment. Both new-building and retrofitting are considered. Given the focus on green growth opportunities, the study focuses on the commercial shipping market and does not go into an in-depth analysis of naval shipbuilding. Technological developments realised in naval shipbuilding that find their way to commercial ship types will however be included in the analysis.
A methodological framework was developed, including mapping relevant policies, analysing the value chain of shipbuilding and evaluating external factors. The research team will use available literature and do interviews with relevant players in this field. There will also be workshops around favourable clusters within the sector.

The findings should provide elements for encouraging the European shipbuilding industry in identifying and grasping economic opportunities that stem from green trends in the industry and from emission reduction strategies in the transport sector.

The study commenced in February 2011 and will run for 12 months. The Ecorys led consortium was awarded the assignment through a public tender.

For more information, please contact:

Robert Eijkelestam
Head Dpt. Marketing & Communication
T +31 10 453 88 57
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