Subsidies Top Shipyard Exec Meeting

At a recent meeting of top European shipbuilding executives it must have seemed like déjà vu times three, as Korean shipbuilding subsidies and their disastrous effect on ship pricing in general, and the European shipbuilding community specifically, topped the agenda. At the AWES and CESA annual meetings held in Nyborg, Denmark on May 16-17, shipyards and their associations from 15 European Countries discussed the situation in shipbuilding and related policies. The dispute is anything but new, with Europeans alleging subsidies and the South Koreans denying them. During its 57th General Assembly, AWES, the Association of European Shipbuilders and Shiprepairers also welcomed as new AWES member the Association of Croatian Shipbuilders and Shiprepairers. Niels Ørskov Christensen of Denmark handed the AWES Chairmanship to Patrick Boissier of France. As new Vice Chairmen of AWES Mr. Frederico Spranger of Portugal was elected, while and Mr. Vito Busalacchi of Italy, representing the Shiprepairers, was confirmed as second vice Chairman.