International shipping conference in Copenhagen just ended with great success 

This morning, the international shipping conference was opened by Minister for Economic and Business Affairs Brian Mikkelsen and the EU Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas. They gave an account of the political challenges in the field of shipping policy that we are facing worldwide just now. In their speeches, they focused especially on the global crisis, but also on the environment, the climate and seafarer conditions. Also speakers from China and the USA came with proposals for ways in which the shipping industry can get through the global crisis.

The conference participants, including guests from the EU, Asia, the USA and Canada, agreed on the need for global regulations, equal competitive conditions and open markets. Both industrial and government representatives agreed that future shipping must be of a high quality all the way round – from safety and health to the environment and the climate. At the conference, the seafarers’ conditions and maritime competences were also debated, and also in this respect there was general agreement to continuously strive for a high level.

Director General of the Danish Maritime Authority Andreas Nordseth says:

”I am pleased that the conference has become such a great success. This is the first time we try the concept of joining decision-makers from the industry and the maritime countries in order to get a common position on shipping. It is very satisfactory to see that, from the East to the West, we aim for quality shipping and equal competitive conditions.”

A separate news item on the participation of the Minister for Economic and Business Affairs in the conference is available here.