Milestones

  • February 2002

    Industry Commissioner Erkki Liikanen announces at the CESA New Year's Reception the intention to develop together with the industry and trade unions a strategic approach for the sector. The formal launching of the LeaderSHIP 2015 idea was agreed in the meeting with the CESA Chairman one week later.

  • March 2002

    Internal CESA kick-off meeting with CEOs from major member companies.

  • May 2002

    European Commission President Prodi supports the outline proposal presented by CESA and calls for the development of an industry road map.

  • June 2002

    CESA (then AWES) releases the Annual Report - 2001 figures show a production value to the tune of record EUR12.2bn and holds 24.4% market shares in the world orderbooks, after a marginal decrease compared to 2000.

  • September 2002

    After a broad bottom-up approach with relevant stakeholders, CESA completes its first comprehensive and proactive industry roadmap for a successful future of the sector and presents it to Commission President Prodi.
    The Special Negotiating Group to relaunch negotiations on a new Shipbuilding Agreement was established by the OECD Council.

  • October 2002

    The EC requests consultations with South Korea on certain alleging illegal measures establishing subsidies to its shipbuilding industry.

  • January 2003

    Inaugural meeting of the LeaderSHIP 2015 High Level Advisory Group is chaired by Commissioner Liikanen

  • March 2003

    Working Groups on eight items are launched by Leadership2015 Sherpa's, convening on the first meetings and mapping the work plan.

  • April 2003

    Working Groups on Level Playing Field chaired by P. Rogard (DG Trade), RDI chaired by E. Makinen (MASA Yards) and Advanced Financing chaired by W. Timmers (Dutch Yards) hold the second round of meetings.

  • May 2003

    Working Groups on Maritime Safety chaired by A. Zampieri (DG Tren), European Defence Identity chaired by R. Vopel (DG Enter), Intellectual Property chaired by B. Dognaux (EMEC) and Industry Structure chaired by R. Lueken (CESA) hold the second round of meetings.

  • June 2003

    The EC requests the establishment of a WTO Dispute Settlement Panel with regard to the alleging illegal government support measures provided by South Korea to its shipbuilding industry.

  • September 2003

    Implementing one of the recommendations of the draft High Level Group report, the EC approves the European Social Dialogue Committee on Shipbuilding and Ship repair (SSDC) in pursuit of the provisions of Art 138 and 139 of the EU Treaty. The body jointly run by CESA and the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) forms a milestone in the industrial relations of the metal sector as its first formal body of this kind.

  • October 2003

    The High Level Advisory Group adopts and publishes its report covering eight pillars with a total of 30 concrete recommendations.

  • November 2003

    The European Commission adopts the formal Commission Communication on LeaderSHIP 2015 "Defining the Future of the European Shipbuilding and Repair Industry - Competitiveness through Excellence". The Competitiveness Council endorses LeaderSHIP 2015 approach.

  • December 2003

    The European regulatory framework is supplemented with Framework on State Aid to shipbuilding (2003/C 317/06). The Framework's main principle is that horizontal state aid rules apply to shipbuilding except where specific provisions apply reflecting the specific characteristics of the shipbuilding industry and market.

  • January 2004

    The implementation of the first recommendations proceed: new Shipbuilding Framework enters into force, providing for the first time appropriate conditions to foster support for innovation.

  • March 2004

    Under the initiative of Euroyards and following the LeaderSHIP 2015 recommendations, European shipbuilding industry launches the Integrated Project InterSHIP. The project is funded under the European Commission's Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development.

  • April 2004

    LeaderSHIP2015 is mentioned in the Commission’s industrial policy communication of 2004 (COM 2004 274 of 20.04.2004) as an example of a sectoral industrial approach. 
    CESA creates an experts committee to support the European Maritime Safety Agency in questions related to technical issues.

  • June 2004

    The European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions adopt supportive opinions on the LeaderShip 2015 process.

  • September 2004

    The 6th Meeting of the Special Negotiating Group on Shipbuilding takes place at the OECD in Paris.

  • November 2004

    The first Barroso Commission takes office. Günther Verheugen, member of the LederSHIP High Level Advisory Group takes over as Vice-President in charge for Industry.
    Working Group on Financing holds a meeting with the European Investment Bank to explore possible cooperation with the sector.

  • December 2004

    Full year production of European shipyards surpassed EUR 10Bn, although the completions in terms of tonnage is only half of South Korea, highlighting the global competitive position of European shipbuilding industry.

  • January 2005

    In the presences of Vice-President Verheugen, the Technology Platform WATERBORNETP is officially launched during the Plenary Meeting of Maritime Industries Forum. Like all technology platforms, WATERBORNETP aims at defining the research priorities for the sector and CESA acts as the Secretariat.

  • February 2005

    WATERBORNETP publishes its VISION 2020 document setting the overall strategy for the Research and Innovation Maritime Strategy.

  • April 2005

    The WTO Dispute Settlement Panel report on EC v. South Korea measures affecting trade in commercial vessels is adopted.  While confirming the existence of some prohibited government measures by South Korea, the procedures have confirmed that the legal system of the WTO has difficulties in copying with the specific characteristics of shipbuilding.

  • May 2005

    A dedicated working group for naval shipyards and a dedicated Technical Advisory Committee are established within CESA.
    CESA submits its proposal for the creation of a European Guarantee Fund for the shipbuilding sector to the European Investment Bank and suggests holding a tripartite meeting together with the European Commission.

  • July 2005

    The Special Negotiating Group on Shipbuilding OECD WP6 meet in Paris for discussions on a New Shipbuilding agreement.

  • August 2005

    CESA appoints the Market Monitoring WG to offer regular briefing and discussion sessions with EU institutions on latest developments related to the world shipbuilding market.

  • September 2005

    The OECD negotiations on a new Shipbuilding Agreement are suspended for an unspecified period due to the deadlock on several key issues in particular with regard to the issue of injurious pricing.

  • October 2005

    First yard experts meeting on Intellectual Protection (IP) takes place.  A survey is conduced to identify shipbuilding specific IP protection problems and issues.

  • November 2005

    During the trilateral meeting DG ENTER, DG ECFIN and EIB explore the possible steps for an EIB loan guarantee facility with the aim of developing an operational programme.

    The European Shipbuilding Social Dialogue Committee holds Qualification and Training Forum in Trieste, Italy, the first workshop where training and skills needs were addressed.

  • December 2005

    Vice-President Verheugen chairs a LeaderSHIP 2015 Roundtable to review the progress achieved and reflect on general developments in the sector. He Informs the industry that LeaderSHIP 2015 is considered as role-model on which basis several other sector initiatives are being established.

  • February 2006

    The SSDC and University of Bremen present the results of the study "Shipbuilding in Europe - Structure, Employment, Perspectives". One of the SSDC's first actions was to gain in-depth description of the socio-economic situation of the sector.

  • March 2006

    The social partners open the first European Shipyard Week with a conference in Brussels. The event continues at national level with the objective to reinforce and spread the message of LeaderSHIP 2015 and to improve the attractiveness of shipyards as a workplace for young graduates and highly-skilled people.

  • April 2006

    As second step following the formulation of the general targets, WATERBORNETP publishes the Strategic Research Agenda to set the key priorities for the Community research programme to facilitate the VISION 2020 target.

  • June 2006

    The Commission succeeds to create a holistic maritime policy framework with the publication of a Maritime Policy Green Paper. The LeaderSHIP is presented as a vital pillar of the competitiveness of Europe’s maritime industries and an example to be replicated more broadly.

  • July 2006

    The German Land of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and CESA organize the European Shipbuilding Day 2006, an event aimed at pointing out the importance of research and innovation in shipbuilding and the contribution of this sector to the overall competitiveness of European industries.

  • August 2006

    CESA and PwC launch the project on a proposal for the development and implementation of a system of refund guarantees for European shipyards.

  • October 2006

    During a workshop by the European Commission with Member States and stakeholders on ship financing PwC presents the proposal of detailed model for a European Scheme for Refund Guarantees.
    The shipbuilding framework is prolonged by two years.

  • December 2006

    After two years of weaker results, the value of European merchant newbuilding production during 2006 marks a firm return to growth with a staggering increase of 43% to EUR16.2Bn.

    OECD Council Working Part on shipbuilding has obtained mandate over 2007-2008 (later extended to 2009-2010) to maintain dialogues on shipbuilding issues which is deemed as a potential platform to relaunch negotiations on Shipbuilding Agreement.

  • January 2007

    CESA submits to IMO its technical opinion on PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR PROTECTIVE COATINGS - Efficient coating through risk-based performance standards for void space, supporting measures to improve the environmental friendliness of ships.

  • February 2007

    A Waterborne Competitiveness workshop is held in Brussels aiming at developing the draft Implementation Plan and laying the foundations for a comprehensive industry plan by developing a route map and carrying out a technology impact evaluation.

  • April 2007

    The Commission adopts the first formal "LeaderSHIP 2015 Progress Report" and it "believes that LeaderSHIP 2015 continues to provide an appropriate framework for its policies towards the shipbuilding sector. It should continue and be accelerated where possible, particularly with regard to the issue of ship financing".

  • May 2007

    The Competitiveness Council notes that European shipbuilding has developed into a modern and competitive branch of industry and calls for continued implementation of the LeaderSHIP recommendations.
    A Memorandum of Understanding between DG Trade, DG Enterprise and Ministry of Industry and Information of China is signed to promote and enhance the communication and cooperation in the shipbuilding sector.

  • June 2007

    The Council Presidency holds a European LeaderSHIP High level Conference in Nuremberg. At this occasion also the Industry Roundtable is brought together by Vice-President Verheugen.

  • July 2007

    The WATERBORNETP the Implementation Plan - WIRM details the paths from the research priorities to the VISION 2020 targets identifying milestones, research gaps to be filled and a time horizon.

  • September 2007

    At the Tripartite meeting in Tokyo the shipyards, shipowners and class societies discuss common challenges related to climate change. CESA stresses the importance of respecting IPR and better technical solutions for sustainable shipping.

  • October 2007

    The European Commission publishes a Communication on "An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union", the so-called "Blue Book" and invites the public to a maritime exhibition at the EC headquarter, featuring also a stand of CESA.

  • December 2007

    The Competitiveness Council NOTES that European shipbuilding has developed into a modern and competitive branch of industry and calls for continued implementation of the LeaderSHIP recommendations.

  • January 2008

    A small group of "Sherpas" meet to develop a proposal of how to proceed with regard to LeaderSHIP long term strategy as concluded during the conference in Nuremberg in June 2007.

  • March 2008

    The group of Sherpas drafts a proposal for a detailed SWOT analysis of the shipbuilding industry in Europe and map a workplan with regard to LeaderSHIP long term strategy.

  • April 2008

    In the framework of the second European Shipyard Week the "Sea Your Future" conference took place in Brussels. Numerous national events followed across Europe promoting the message about excellent career opportunities within the shipbuilding industry for young graduates and highly-skilled workers.

  • May 2008

    The IMO Committee on Environment starts the process of adoption of an Energy Efficiency Design Index. CESA provides qualified contribution to the process to define a technically sound instrument that could deliver as much as CO2 reduction as possible.

    After years of efforts, IMO MSC85 has acknowledged the importance of achieving a balance between design transparency and protection of intellectual property.

  • June 2008

    A dedicated shipbuilding intellectual property collective management organization, GuardSHIP is set up to address issues of unwanted knowledge leakage and raise general awareness on IP protection.

  • July 2008

    The European Commission prolongs the application of the shipbuilding framework for three years, until 31 December 2011.

  • August 2008

    A first ever shipbuilding IP protection handbook which provides sector specific and practical IP management and protection guidelines is published.

  • September 2008

    The global economic and financial crisis unfolds. Shipping and shipbuilding experience their worst crisis in history with a temporary drop of freight rates to 1% of the peak in June 2008. Demand for new ships collapses by 90%, a situation that lasts throughout 2009.

  • December 2008

    The financial and economic crisis has triggered an abrupt halt to any ordering activity for new ships. New projects are temporarily hampered by reduced availability and higher cost of financing.  CESA urgently appeals to banks and policy makers to safeguard continued availability of working capital for shipyards as solid and profitable projects are endangered.

  • Januray 2009

    A first cross industry group (international yards, shipowners, Class) meeting is organized by CESA to discuss Ship Construction File (SCF) issues regarding balancing the IMO ship design transparency requirements with intellectual property protection precautions and preparing a cross industry submission for IMO MSC 86.

  • February 2009

    At the CESA & EMEC New Year Reception the EC Vice President Gunter Verheugen shares the worries over business conditions and reinforces the EC commitment to create the necessary framework conditions to help the industry compete and thrive even in difficult times like these.

  • May 2009

    IMO MSC 86 takes note of the cross industry (international yards, shipowners, Class) submission coordinated by CESA on Ship Construction File and mandates the cross industry partners to further develop the SCF implementation model and Guidelines.

  • June 2009

    Trade union representatives of the EMF demand a common European strategy for the future of shipbuilding in Europe in the "Berlin Declaration".

  • July 2009

    OECD Council Working Party on Shipbuilding organises a special session devoted to the economic crisis, raising the question of re-launching the negotiations for a Shipbuilding Agreement.

  • September 2009

    The High Level Group holds a Meeting in Bremerhaven discussing possible joint European action to implement an effective crisis response for the sector.

  • October 2009

    A kick-off conference in Brussels launched the 3rd European Shipyard Week as CESA and the EMF advocate a look beyond the crisis. Gunter Verhoeven, then the Vice-President of the European Commission called upon the next generation to "work together to ensure that our leadership can be preserved and further expanded".

  • November 2009

    President Barroso presents the candidates for the Commission College.

  • January 2010

    CESA meets EC and PwC for the kick-off meeting to discuss on the EC funded study on a European pre-delivery shipbuilding guarantee scheme.

    CESA launches cost investigation into possible injurious pricing cases.

  • February 2010

    The European Commission organises a European shipbuilding intellectual property protection workshop in Hamburg.

  • March 2010

    The European Commission organises a European shipbuilding intellectual property protection workshop in Rotterdam.

    The European Parliament approves the new Commission.

  • April 2010

    A LeaderSHIP High Level Conference is hold in Bilbao, hosted by the president of Basque Country, demanding the Member States to accelerate the implementation of a coordinated strategy for shipbuilding.
    The "Joint declaration by regional governments on the future of the European shipbuilding industry" signed by 36 the elected heads of European Regions is handed over to Parliament President Jerzy Buzek.
    The ECOSOC and the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change calls on the Council, the Commission and the Parliament to ensure that a critical mass in shipbuilding is maintained in Europe as a matter of strategic priority.

  • May 2010

    The Competitiveness Council takes note of the situation and perspectives of the European shipbuilding industry, in particular on ways to address the impact of the global economic crisis in this sector.
    IMO MSC 87 approves the cross industry (yards, ship owners, Class) submission coordinated by CESA on Ship Construction File.  For the first time IMO Convention incorporates IP protection provisions.

  • June 2010

    MEPs Andrea Cozzolino and Ville Itala host a LeaderSHIP conference in the European Parliament calling for urgent European action to establish appropriate conditions for an emergency programme.

    The first meeting of the EU-China bilateral Shipbuilding Dialogue takes place in Brussels.

  • July 2010

    The WATERBORNETP strategy on the reinforcement and full exploitation of the Knowledge Triangle Research Education and Innovation is specifically addressed under the FP7 4th Call by a Coordination Action.

  • September 2010

    The first updates of the WSRA and WIRM are published under the Coordination Action CASMARE.

  • October 2010

    The EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement is officially signed during the EU-South Korea Summit in Brussels.

  • December 2010

    Under the European Defence Agency umbrella and following the example of the WATERBORNETP experience in the merchant shipbuilding sector a call is launched to design, define and align the research needs of the naval shipbuilding.
    OECD Council decides to terminate the discussion on a Shipbuilding Agreement despite intensive efforts to restart negotiations.
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