Shipbuilding: world situation. 6th report

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report drafted by Jaime VALDIVIELSO DU CUE (EPP-ED, Spain) on the situation in world shipbuilding. (Please see the summary dated 23/04/03). On the subject of the temporary defence mechanism, the Commission is asked to simplify the criteria required for establishing that South Korean shipyards are offering lower prices. This is due to the fact that there is a limited period of application for the temporary defence mechanism, and no shipyard has been able to benefit from it because of its failure to become operative. Parliament pointed to the imbalance between the low level of orders obtained by Europe and the high level of orders enjoyed by its competitors in third countries. It asked the Commission and Member States to extend until the end of 2004 the delivery date for vessels ordered before 31/12/03, while maintaining the corresponding aids, in order to provide cover for existing European shipbuilding. The Commission is criticised for not having approved some of the national schemes for applying the new OECD funding conditions, and thereby placing the European shipbuilding at a competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis its competitors in third countries. Finally, Parliament expressed its support for the LeaderSHIP-2015 initiative, the aim of which is to develop a strategy to achieve competitiveness and regain technological leadership in shipbuilding by promoting innovation.�