435
Views

Europort Opens With 'Maritime Odyssey 2041'

Published Nov 9, 2011 11:14 AM by The Maritime Executive

This morning the maritime exhibition Europort started at Ahoy Rotterdam. Fully in line with the theme ‘Advanced Technology, Your access to the future', the exhibition was opened with a 'MARITIME ODYSSEY’ to the year 2041. An interactive film inspired the audience to shape the future themselves. The three speakers emphasized that innovation and technology are important in the maritime industry to stay ahead of the game. Until Friday 11 November, Europort is the breeding ground for clever solutions and new connections.

“The future is not only happening to us, but also makeable” was the message of the opening film. Exactly what the world looks like in thirty years, is impossible to say. Nevertheless, the maritime sector agrees that three leading trends will be:

  1. Cheap labour is not leading, but innovation is.
  2. Speed is not leading, but durability is.
  3. Manpower is not leading, but smart technology is.

Leading market players from the maritime sector Koos van Oord (Frontrunner ‘Topteam Water’), Sjef van Dooremalen (Chairman of Holland Shipbuilding) and Tineke Netelenbos (President of the Association of Shipowners) commented on these statements.

Jos van der Vegt, President of Ahoy Rotterdam: “During the coming days over thirty thousand visitors will attend Europort and meet more than one thousand exhibitors from 30 countries worldwide. A perfect breeding ground for straightforward business of course, but also for smart thinking, clever solutions and tempting partnerships.”

Bernard Meyer, Chairman of the Community of European Shipyards Association (CESA) stressed that Europe should retain its leading position: “Europe has a fantastic basis to build success. Excellent companies, creative staff, the best education and research institutes. But we must make sure we maintain sufficient critical mass. We must continue to invest in training and teach our youngsters the fascination of shipbuilding. Europe, policy maker as much as the industry itself has to develop concepts and take action to ensure we can sustain our business, prosperity and jobs. Not with subsidies but by joining forces to shape a joint future.”

Mr. Meyer announced the last female speaker with a jest to 2041; “by that time there might be no more male managers”. Thecla Bodewes, ‘Business Woman of the Year 2011’, Owner and Director of Shipyard Gebr. G&H Bodewes, Shipyard De Kaap and Maritima Green Technology predicts that Europort will be the largest maritime exhibition in the world. A cutting ribbon ceremony at the end symbolised that some traditions will never change.