The recreational boating industry relies on the health of our seas. That is why EBI is strongly committed to reducing marine pollution and raising awareness among boaters and the general public. The SeaCleaners, created by the sailor and ecologist Yvan Bourgnon, is a natural partner to EBI, given its commitments to awareness-raising, biodiversity protection, plastic waste collection and scientific observation. Under the new partnership based on a Memorandum of Understanding, both organisations will promote common activities.

Within the framework of this collaboration, The SeaCleaners, which has made prevention and awareness a major focus of its action against plastic pollution, will develop and distribute educational tools, such as a "plastic waste collection manual". This booklet will be distributed to boaters to encourage them to take action against this scourge, which has a deadly impact on marine biodiversity and contaminates coastal waters as well as the high seas.

The SeaCleaners' scientific teams will also work with EBI to develop best practices. Companies and boaters will be invited to participate in The SeaCleaners' Voluntary Observer Programme. As part of this programme, they will carry out observation missions of floating plastic pollution in the areas of the world most affected by this phenomenon. The observations will be processed, analysed and used to create a reference database on global plastic pollution. This will improve the relevance of public policy, on land or at sea, aimed at reducing plastic pollution and protecting marine biodiversity.

Finally, companies in the boat building and equipment manufacturing sector will be offered the opportunity to contribute to the construction and fitting-out of the Manta, a pioneering solution for collecting and recovering floating plastic macro-waste that will be launched in 2024. The Manta will be the first deep-sea vessel capable of collecting and mass treating floating oceanic waste before it breaks up and enters the marine ecosystem in a sustainable manner, thanks to its on-board plant.

Joint advocacy and communication actions aimed at supporting European institutions in their initiatives to reduce marine litter and transition to a circular economy will also be implemented.

Jean-Pierre Goudant, President of EBI explains: "The European Union has estimated the cost of environmental damage caused by plastic pollution in Europe to be 22 billion euros up to 2030. We are convinced that all maritime actors must make a determined commitment against plastic pollution. Through our collaboration with the NGO The SeaCleaners, we are proud to take another step forward by supporting a great project and giving the industry access to concrete resources to act.”

Yvan Bourgnon, president and founder of The SeaCleaners adds: "Plastic pollution is a major ecological threat on a global scale. There is an urgent need to act on all fronts, both preventively and curatively. And all actors have a duty to take the necessary measures to contribute to this fight. We are infinitely proud that European Boating Industry, a major player in the European maritime sector, is positioning itself so firmly at the forefront of the fight alongside us.”

For more information about the partnership, please click here.

The EU and China have agreed in principle to a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI). The agreement aims to balance the economic relationship between both parties, given that the EU market has always been more open to Chinese investment than the Chinese market has been to EU investment. It will ensure a better level playing field, which the Commission says will give European businesses a boost and will help them compete in China.

China has made market access commitments in a wide range of sectors, including the manufacturing, which is the most important sector of EU investment in China. In these areas, China will not be able to prohibit market access or introduce new discriminatory practices. Specifically, the agreement sets rules on state-owned enterprises, on the transparency of subsidies, and against forced technology transfers. It will also be easier for EU companies to obtain authorisations and complete administrative procedures, and they will now be able to access China’s standard setting bodies.

The agreement also contains provisions on sustainable development, whereby China commits to not lowering environmental and labour standards in order to attract investment. Other Chinese commitments include respecting international obligations, promoting responsible business conducts by Chinese companies, or implementing the Paris Agreement, among other things.

The agreement reached in principle is just the first step in the process, since now the text must be legally reviewed and then ratified by the EU legislative authorities (the European Parliament and the Council of the EU). More information on the agreement can be found here.

In December, EBI and experts nominated by EBI members participated in videoconferences with the experts of the RCD consortium. These videoconferences were on the topics of exhaust emissions, evaporative emissions, and design categories. In each one of them, EBI was able to present its position, which all EBI members had contributed to and had agreed in 2019/2020. Key points on the practical perspective, as well as the future developments of the industry, were brought across and followed up with written input to the consortium.

A new development is that measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from recreational boats will also be included in the review and may feature in a future revision of the RCD. The European Commission confirmed to EBI that the European Green Deal is behind this decision, which has the target of making the EU carbon-neutral EU by 2050, with an intermediate reduction target of 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels (as proposed by the Commission). EBI will closely engage with the consortium to provide input and suggestions on how greenhouse gas emission measures could be implemented, and will emphasise the proactive role of the recreational boating industry.

Based on these points, the EBI Executive Committee and experts are currently preparing detailed papers with regulatory suggestions for the future development of the RCD.

As part of the review, a consultation with a deadline of 14 March was launched by the European Commission. EBI will respond to the consultation and encourages its members to do the same.

Reminder:

The review of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) will be based on a report carried out by a consortium of companies: Panteia (The Netherlands), TNO (The Netherlands) and Emisia (Greece). The study has a 10-month timeline. Following the study, the Commission will prepare a report that sets out the conclusions of the study, as well as potentially other areas to address. At the same time, the Commission will decide whether the current RCD is suitable or whether legislative changes should be proposed. The deadline for this is January 2022 and would then be followed by the legislative process in the European Parliament and Council of the EU (representing Member States).

At the first General Assembly of the year, European Boating Industry met with its members to discuss the key aspects of 2020 and laid out the plans for the coming year. Two new sustaining members were welcomed - TransEurope Marinas and EMCI Register - further increasing EBI’s position as the voice of the European recreational boating industry.

The General Assembly, held online, discussed the successful progress made in the past year, which saw EBI take a leading role in its outreach to the EU institutions with dozens of meetings with Members of the European Parliament and the European Commission at highest political level. Besides informing the industry and advocating for its key issues regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, EBI was active on a number of policy areas for the industry. This includes the Recreational Craft Directive, which is currently being reviewed, international trade policy, EU tourism policy, end-of-life boats, decarbonisation, the EU Healthy Ocean Mission, funding opportunities and other issues that impact the boating industry.

The General Assembly unanimously approved the applications of two new sustaining members: EMCI Register and TransEurope Marinas. Sustaining members benefit from EBI’s extensive network and participate in its activities. They also gain access to a broad base of expertise and support for their own activities.
EMCI Register is a young and dynamic RCD notified body. Staffed by a young and ambitious team, its focus is on using software and digital innovation to make the certification process more efficient without skimping on quality. EMCI Register does this by employing an in-house software team that focuses on optimizing the administrative processes of a notified body, maximizing efficiency.

TransEurope Marinas is an association of over 80 select European marinas across 11 different countries, where the majority fly the Blue Flag or hold another certification (Blue Stars, Gold Anchors or Ports Propres) in recognition of proficient environmental management. The principle aims of the group are to share good practice throughout the international community and promote responsible and sustainable boating. Member marinas are currently implementing a first phase of digital transformation, connecting all destinations via an online platform, and offering improved services to boaters. TransEurope Marinas managers are also active in PIANC working groups, endorsing the Working with Nature concept to help design better services in marinas.

After the General Assembly, EBI President Jean-Pierre Goudant commented “We are proud of having successfully brought our key messages into the work of the EU institutions on the issues that count for our industry. The recreational boating sector is seen as a trusted partner on key topics and we look forward to building on this in 2021. As EBI, we are also delighted to further grow our membership and welcome two new sustaining members. EMCI Register and TransEurope Marinas offer very important perspectives that we look forward to bringing into our work.”

Following the approval as sustaining member of EBI, Chairman of EMCI Register Giel Tettelaar commented “EMCI Register is excited to join EBI and to work together with the other members to represent the recreational craft sector on the European stage. We are not interested in sitting on the side lines and we look forward to actively assisting EBI in its activities to assist the sector.”

On being accepted as sustaining member of EBI, Melanie Symes from TransEurope Marinas said “We have been tremendously impressed with EBI’s trajectory over the last year, showing leadership in addressing current industry concerns and making significant progress towards representing nautical tourism interests at government level. As an international marine network, TransEurope Marinas is firmly in favour of collaborative alliances that help grow this sector in line with sustainable values. We very much look forward to working with Philip and the team.”

For more on TransEurope Marinas, please find their website here: https://www.transeuropemarinas.com/

For more on EMCI Register, please find their website here: https://notifiedbody.emci-register.com/application-features

European Boating Industry (EBI) and ICOMIA have entered a new partnership with mutual benefits for both EBI and ICOMIA members and an increased focus on the further development of nautical tourism. ICOMIA and EBI are very excited about this new partnership agreement and look forward to joining forces to tackle important industry issues together.

European Boating Industry (EBI) represents the European recreational boating industry. It encompasses all sectors relating to boating such as boatbuilding, equipment manufacturing, marinas, charter companies, and service providers. EBI is an established stakeholder at EU level, promoting the interests of its members through day-to-day advocacy on key issues ranging from the Recreational Craft Directive, blue economy, the European Green Deal, Research and Innovation, and fiscal framework, to qualifications, tourism, and trade policy. It is in constant exchange with the European Commission, European Parliament, Council, and stakeholders to bring across the key messages of the industry.

ICOMIA is an international association, whose full members are global marine industry associations. ICOMIA is a longstanding stakeholder in the various relevant working groups of the European Commission and employs technical and environmental specialists who are engaged in EU-related work. Its mission is to act as the voice of the recreational marine industry worldwide to facilitate, influence, inform and research.

Through this agreement, ICOMIA will continue to provide technical and environmental support and ensure cohesive representation of and communication with EBI and ICOMIA members. ICOMIA will assist with statistical work or studies, including the annual ICOMIA Statistics Book.

As part of this new partnership, EBI will start providing bi-monthly monitoring newsletters, which will include updates on EU work and EBI’s advocacy activities to keep its global partner updated.

The agreement was signed by the Presidents of the two associations, Sara Anghel and Jean-Pierre Goudant, as well as their respective Secretary-Generals, Udo Kleinitz and Philip Easthill.

Udo Kleinitz, Secretary-General of ICOMIA, said: “EBI and ICOMIA have a high overlap in their European membership. From the outset we have been working on complementing each other’s work rather than duplicating. This agreement is a step to implement better exchange of information and joint action. I believe I can speak for ICOMIA and its members in saying we are very pleased about the public message it sends in demonstrating our stronger ties.”

Philip Easthill, Secretary-General of EBI, said: “We are delighted to have signed the renewed and extended partnership agreement with ICOMIA. It allows for optimal communication channels and cooperation between the work of EBI at EU level and ICOMIA’s global activities. We have agreed a partnership that supports both associations’ members and the entire recreational boating industry to create suitable regulatory conditions.”

For more info on ICOMIA visit www.icomia.org

For more info on EBI visit www.europeanboatingindustry.eu

14 January 2021

European Boating Industry (EBI), the organisation that represents the recreational boating sector in Europe, announces its partnership with the NGO The SeaCleaners, created by the sailor and ecologist Yvan Bourgnon, with the aim of strengthening its actions to protect the marine environment and combat plastic pollution.

The recreational boating industry relies on the health of our seas. That is why EBI is strongly committed to reducing marine pollution and raising awareness among boaters and the general public. The SeaCleaners is a natural partner to EBI, given its commitments to awareness-raising, biodiversity protection, plastic waste collection and scientific observation. Under the new partnership based on a Memorandum of Understanding, both organisations will promote common activities.

Within the framework of this collaboration, The SeaCleaners, which has made prevention and awareness a major focus of its action against plastic pollution, will develop and distribute educational tools, such as a "plastic waste collection manual". This booklet will be distributed to boaters to encourage them to take action against this scourge, which has a deadly impact on marine biodiversity and contaminates coastal waters as well as the high seas.

The SeaCleaners' scientific teams will also work with EBI to develop best practices. Companies and boaters will be invited to participate in The SeaCleaners' Voluntary Observer Programme. As part of this programme, they will carry out observation missions of floating plastic pollution in the areas of the world most affected by this phenomenon. The observations will be processed, analysed and used to create a reference database on global plastic pollution. This will improve the relevance of public policy, on land or at sea, aimed at reducing plastic pollution and protecting marine biodiversity.

Finally, companies in the boat building and equipment manufacturing sector will be offered the opportunity to contribute to the construction and fitting-out of the Manta, a pioneering solution for collecting and recovering floating plastic macro-waste that will be launched in 2024. The Manta will be the first deep-sea vessel capable of collecting and mass treating floating oceanic waste before it breaks up and enters the marine ecosystem in a lasting manner, thanks to its on-board plant.

Joint advocacy and communication actions aimed at supporting European institutions in their initiatives to reduce marine litter and transition to a circular economy will also be implemented.

Jean-Pierre Goudant, President of EBI explains: "The European Union has estimated the cost of environmental damage caused by plastic pollution in Europe to be 22 billion euros up to 2030. We are convinced that all maritime actors must make a determined commitment against plastic pollution. Through our collaboration with the NGO The SeaCleaners, we are proud to take another step forward by supporting a great project and giving the industry access to concrete resources to act.”

Yvan Bourgnon, president and founder of The SeaCleaners adds: "Plastic pollution is a major ecological threat on a global scale. There is an urgent need to act on all fronts, both preventively and curatively. And all actors have a duty to take the necessary measures to contribute to this fight. We are infinitely proud that European Boating Industry, a major player in the European maritime sector, is positioning itself so firmly at the forefront of the fight alongside us.”

About European Boating Industry

European Boating Industry (EBI) represents the recreational boating industry in Europe, which encompasses subsectors such as boatbuilders (building motorboats, sailing boats, yachts, personal watercraft, and other recreational boats), engine manufacturers, equipment manufacturing, refit and maintenance companies, boat dealers and importers, marinas and yacht harbours, boat charter and rental companies, water sports rental companies and other related companies.

EBI's members are the national associations representing the recreational boating industry, as well as a number of individual companies (sustaining members). EBI is an established stakeholder at EU level, defending and promoting the interests of its members on key issues ranging from Single Market legislation to blue growth, tourism and trade policy. In Europe, the recreational boating industry is made up of 32,000 companies (mostly SMEs) which directly employ over 280,000 people. The sector is a key contributor to tourism and to local economies in coastal and island regions, and Europe is an important exporter of recreational boating products.

More about EBI: europeanboatingindustry.eu

About The SeaCleaners

Created in 2016 by the French-Swiss navigator and explorer Yvan Bourgnon, the organisation offers solutions against plastic pollution through corrective and preventive actions. An Observer Member of the United Nations Environment Programme, supported by the Albert II Foundation of Monaco and the CCI France International, The SeaCleaners has four objectives:

• Collection of floating waste at sea, coastal line and rivers as well as organisation of clean-ups on land.
• Education and pedagogy, with the development of awareness-raising activities for the populations affected, the public and decision-makers,
• Advancement of scientific research,
• Transition towards circular economy based on valorisation of collected waste.

The association’s flagship project is The Manta, a revolutionary vessel showcasing The SeaCleaners’ solutions: powered by renewable energy, this giant of the seas will be the first deep-sea vessel capable of collecting and mass processing floating oceanic waste before it fragments and enters the marine ecosystem in a lastingly manner.

Press contacts:

For The SeaCleaners – Valérie Amant – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For European Boating Industry – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The liberal group in the European Parliament, Renew Europe, has published a position paper that puts forward a strategic agenda for inland waterway transport in Europe. It concludes that inland waterway transport offers great potential as an alternative to road transport: inland waterway freight vessels can carry the load of several hundred trucks, and therefore make for a cleaner and more efficient transport means. The paper calls for the Commission to develop a strategic agenda for the sector, based on seven pillars: the modal shift to inland waterway transport, the greening of vessels, the implementation of digital innovations, the transformation of ports into clean energy hubs, education and training, a financing plan, and inland waterway passenger transport and tourism.

Thanks to EBI’s liaison with Renew Europe MEPs in charge of the document, the paper also stresses the importance of recreational navigation on inland waterways, and calls on the Commission and the Member States to “further explore the potential of inland waterway cruise vessels and recreational boating, in order to boost growth, create new job opportunities, and enhance tourism in the related regions”. Through the paper, Renew Europe calls on the Commission to include inland waterway tourism in its upcoming European Agenda for Tourism 2050. Besides, the paper advocates the use of zero-emission alternative fuels and infrastructure upgrading in ports and inland marinas.

More information, together with the full position paper, can be found here.

The Committee of the Regions, the body which represents local and regional authorities at EU level, adopted in its plenary session an opinion titled “Towards more sustainable tourism for EU cities and regions”. The opinion addresses the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the tourism and transport sectors, supports EU measures that have been taken so far and calls for wider measures to mitigate the crisis. The opinion also advocates measures to make tourism cleaner and more sustainable, and calls for recognising the importance of tourism in EU policy-making.

EBI had the opportunity to provide feedback on the drafting of the opinion and meet with its rapporteur, Manuel Alejandro Cardenete Flores (Deputy Minister for Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration of the Regional Government of Andalusia). As a result of such input, the opinion states that the Committee of the Regions “is in favour of continuing the work of the DG Mare-European Boating Industry working group on end-of-life of vessels with a view to developing a joint EU research and innovation roadmap to increase recycling of materials for building boats”. It also stresses the importance of promoting sustainable coastal maritime, and notes the potential of navigation and water sports for science, environmental awareness, ocean mapping and research on environmental issues.

The opinion can be found here.

This month, the European Commission published its new Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which aims at making transport within the EU more sustainable, smarter and more resilient. Transport is a crucial factor in the success of the European Green Deal (the goal of which is to make the EU climate neutral by 2050). Through the measures spelled out in the Strategy, including the 82 specific initiatives listed in the Action Plan that accompanies the Strategy, the Commission intends to deliver a 90% reduction in the transport sector’s emissions by 2050. The Strategy includes proposals and objectives on issues such as incentivising the development and use of zero-emission vehicles, enhancing transport intermodality, or putting in place the right policy incentives.

A number of the Strategy’s initiatives can be relevant to the recreational boating industry, even though they are not directly targeted towards the sector. The Strategy advocates the uptake of low- and zero-emission vehicles (including vessels) and of renewable and low-carbon fuels (including for waterborne transport). It envisages sustainability and end-of-life cycle requirements (e.g. in terms of carbon footprint or the sourcing of raw materials) and, for waterborne transport, mentions the possibility of establishing a Renewable and Low-Carbon Fuels Value Chain Alliance. Furthermore, it calls for cleaner ports, for alternative marine fuels, and for a network of recharging and refuelling infrastructure. Moreover, it stresses the need to provide SMEs with easier access to finance, and calls for investment in the modernisation of fleets in all transport modes.

The documents that accompany the Strategy also provide relevant information. The 82-point Action Plan contains several noteworthy actions, such as: exploring retrofitting and renewal schemes in various transport modes, revising the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive, establishing sustainable taxonomy criteria (something EBI is actively engaged with), developing Research and Innovation partnerships, revising the maritime safety framework or revising the mandate of EMSA.

Furthermore, the Staff Working Document accompanying the Strategy, which provides a background assessment, points out the lack of mutual recognition of boating licences between Member States, noting that solving this problem would ensure free movement of people and support employment in the sector.

The full Strategy, together with the supplementary 82-point Action Plan, as well as additional information, can be found here.