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Monday 3 August 2009

EC launches US$4 million programme to boost shipping industry image

The European Commission has launched a US$4.1 million programme to boost seafarer recruitment and increase awareness about the shipping industry to the general public.

The programme, which should get underway by the middle of next year, will last three years and involve significant participation by interested parties from the shipping industry.

Addressing industry leaders at a presentation of the Key Performance Indicator initiative in London recently, Dimitrios Theologitis, head of unit for Maritime Transport & Ports Policy, Maritime Security, at the European Commission’s DGTREN, said the programme would be a joint initiative between Brussels and the shipping industry and would concentrate on the image of shipping as well as improving awareness of the maritime sector.

“Under the terms of the image framework programme, the commission will call on interested parties at least two or three times a year, to submit sets of proposals which will then be looked at by specially set up consortia,” explained Mr Theologitis.

“They, in turn, will be encouraged to submit their own applications for action. The idea is to form large consortia which can cover all facets of a particular area. They will work on key issues and they will have to raise some of the necessary funds which is a good thing because they will assume some level of ownership.

“It will eventually become a research and development project where material can be developed and thought out as to how best promote shipping’s image. It will cover education, promotion of the shipping industry and it will look at ways to address the media and the way information about shipping is collected and distributed to the public.”

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