A.Tzitzikostas | Cruise is a driving force of the European economy

The Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, visited the largest port in Europe, Rotterdam, as part of the "CLIA Cruise Week". During his trip, he participated as a keynote speaker at the "European Cruise Summit" and had important meetings with executives from the cruise and shipbuilding industries.

The Port of Rotterdam: A key pillar of European shipping

The Port of Rotterdam is the largest in Europe, with more than 28,000 ocean-going ships and 91,000 inland waterway vessels visiting it every year. In 2023, it handled 435.8 million tonnes of cargo, confirming its strategic importance for European and international shipping.

Mr. Tzitzikostas stressed that the port is not only a trade hub, but also a pioneer in the energy transition, with investments in green energy, hydrogen infrastructure, and alternative fuels.

European cruise industry facing new challenges and opportunities

At the Summit, the Commissioner analyzed the prospects and challenges of the cruise industry, underlining that Europe maintains a leading position in the construction of cruise ships. He noted that European shipyards are the only ones in the world that build ultra-modern ships, while economic forecasts show annual growth of 4%-5% in the sector.

At the same time, he touched on issues such as port infrastructure, competitiveness, sustainable fuels, and the need to upgrade the skills of workers in the cruise sector.

Safety and sustainability: Central axes of the strategy

Mr. Tzitzikostas underlined that the safety of passengers and crew is a top priority. He referred to the global and regional challenges affecting maritime transport and stressed the importance of a strong and coordinated European approach.

At the same time, he pointed out that sustainability is crucial for the future of cruising. Europe is promoting the transition to new, cleaner fuels while strengthening investments in innovation and the upgrading of shipyards.

A new strategy for European ports

The Commissioner announced that the European Commission is working on a new strategy for ports, which will include issues of competitiveness, sustainability, safety, energy transition, and resilience. In this context, the cruise sector is expected to play a crucial role.

"Cruising is a driving force of the European economy and we must ensure that it remains at the forefront of innovation and environmental sustainability," concluded Mr. Tzitzikostas.

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