Berlin to push for EU offshore strategy.

Maritime Minister Norbert Brackmann lays out Germany's key focus for EU presidency.

Germany is to work towards better coordination of European Union maritime policy, including on offshore wind, during its presidency of the bloc later this year, according to Berlin’s Maritime Minister Norbert Brackmann.

Brackmann, who is in Brussels today for talks on the issue, said a centralised body is required to coordinate the offshore “needs of the environment and climate” as well as “the high level of dynamism in research and development”.

“We also need a top European body that better reflects the interests and needs of individual Member States and the maritime economy,” he added. 

“We need more maritime cooperation in Europe. This also includes a joint maritime shore-side initiative by the EU.”

Brackmann’s department said offshore wind is a key topic for the maritime economy alongside ship building and port industries.

“To ensure its global competitiveness, the European maritime economy must face challenges such as automation and digitization , climate and environmental protection and the need for skilled workers take an active approach,” said the department. 

“A key requirement for this is a strong European maritime network.”

Germany is to take the EU presidency for six months from July.

18 February 2020

reNEWS.BIZ