The EUROPA SHIP Plan is included in the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) for Motorways of the Sea (MoS). The DIP for MoS, built for Shipping and Ports by Mr. Brian Simpson the European Coordinator for MoS, will constitute a clear and precise guidance document for Development and Research priorities throughout the Union’s Development, Funding and Co-operation Programs.
As it is precisely mentioned to that document, published on 17th March 2016, the ESP constitutes an initiative of introducing a sustainable financing strategy for the renewal of the South European Short Sea Shipping fleet, by adding innovative and green characteristics to it. ESP’s implementation is described as “the optimum and only possible solution”. For unlocking the funding for new short sea vessel constructions and the compliance to the forthcoming environment requirements and regulations with a simultaneous improvement of the competiveness for employment. It presents ESP’s central concept, and also highlights the multitude advantages of the implementation of ESP is highlighted, as well. The preselected EU shipyards will be specialized on specific vessel classes thus achieving substantial efficiencies. The ship building cost in some cases can be reduced up to 15%, through economies of scale deriving from the standardization in ships’ construction. Furthermore, the use of LNG as fuel might decrease the operating expenses as much as 25% and 50% compared to HFO and MGO use respectively. Considering the low bankability of the European Short Sea Shipping sector, the implementation of the project is based and depends on innovative European funding tools (TEN-T, CEF, Juncker Plan and EIB SFT). The European ship building industry and the engine and equipment manufacture sector will be strengthened. In addition, a major export of the abovementioned vessels, around the world, will possibly occur, since their construction process will comply with the future environment requirements and regulations. In that context, not only employment in EU is expected to increase, but also a modal transportation shift from road to sea is pretty possible.
Download the full text of the Detailed Implementation Plan here.