The development of national shipowners and shipyards necessary for the safety of Poland

The importance of own fleet and shipbuilding in the era of global tensions and associated threats was discussed by editor Iwona Wysock on Radio Gdańsk in the broadcast "People and Money" with Dorothy Arciszewska-Mielewczyk, President of the Polish Oceanic Lines and Ireneusz Karaśkiewicz, Director of the Office of the Ship Forum Employers' Association on 1.06.2022.

– Security issues, but also economic account and war, showed how important independence is. Independence is not without its own fleet. Polish shipowners should work together – we should draw up a strategy together and share tasks. We must have our own independent fleet. If, God forbid, something happens on the Baltic Sea and the danger of wrapping up on this water will be like in the Black Sea, then without our own fleet, we will not be able to persuade anyone to bring anything to Poland – she said Dorota Arcziewska-Mielewczyk

"European shipowners place 99% of their orders in shipyards in the Far East – China and South Korea. We are currently at war in Europe, but let us not forget that there are also powerful political tensions between China and Taiwan. And if there were a conflict in the area and the related supply blockade, European shipowners would be in a very difficult position. Therefore, it is critically important for the security of trade in Europe that the European shipbuilding industry retains its capacity," he said. Ireneusz Karaśkiewicz

– For many years there has been a war in the shipbuilding industry the price that China and the rest of the world are running. According to analyses conducted by our German VSM colleagues, Chinese shipyards offer ships at prices of around 30% lower than 15 years ago, while in the same period the average wage in China increased by slightly below 400 percent. This has led to the collapse of many European shipyards. In contrast, Korean shipyards that remained in this price war recorded a loss of $3.3 billion in 2021. We must be aware of these global processes and make the right decisions. 85 percent of world trade takes place by water. The development of the shipbuilding industry is crucial for our safety," said the Director of the ROUND FORUM.

Source: Ship Forum