26/11/2007: EMEC powers ahead!

A packed agenda at the Autumn General Assembly of EMEC reflected on a successful year and put in place key actions to continue the pace into the future.

The first call results of the FP7 project proposals revealed a credible success rate for the European equipment industry and a fitting tribute to the hard work of outgoing chairman of EMECrid1 Patrick Person. Newly confirmed Chairman of EMECrid, Duncan Forbes of Rolls-Royce, laid out the plans for a revised structure of the group and the timetable to take maximum advantage of the second call in the FP7 programme. A radical new proposal, called PEGASUS, will focus on transport specific innovations that could deliver step changes in efficiency and cleanness in the next 20 years and beyond. A series of presentation meetings will be held across Europe to encourage SME equipment companies to participate under a broad range of themes.

A strong progress on the contentious issue of the mutual recognition of marine equipment on two fronts is reported. The political progress of the Classification Directive, and in particular the wording of Article 20, had produced a divergence of opinion with the classification societies requiring constant vigilance to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not diluted in the working group of the European Council of Ministers.

At the same time, a positive report was given on the workmanlike discussions between IACS and EMEC on how a mutual recognition regime could actually work in practice. Providing progress is maintained, this augured well for the future enabling trust to be built up between the two organisations.

In launching the new EMEC web site, President Pim van Gulpen commented “the new web site reflects the transformation of EMEC under the leadership of the Secretary-General, Paola Lancellotti, during the last eighteen months.” He continued “EMEC can now be counted alongside the other leading associations representing the marine sector, effectively ensuring the European marine equipment sector is seated around the table where all major Commission decisions affecting its future are made.”

The new web site reflects the importance of the marine equipment sector to the European Union’s economy and its importance in driving innovation to ensure the continued competitiveness of the sector in the global marketplace.