European Commission > Maritime Affairs > Events > Maritime Day 2008

The European Maritime Day will be celebrated on 20 May each year. It is an occasion to highlight the crucial role played by the Oceans and Seas and will contribute to a better visibility of the maritime sectors and more recognition of the importance they play in everyday life.
This year's events included a stakeholder conference in Brussels 19-20 May, which focused on the regional approach to the implementation of Maritime Policy, and dialogue with stakeholders. The European Maritime Day was officially launched on 20 May in Strasbourg where the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering, Council President Janez Janša, and Commission President José Manuel Barroso signed a Joint Tripartite Declaration establishing a "European Maritime Day".

• Speeches and presentations
  • 20.05.08 - ESA Special Website on European Maritime Day and Relation Space Activities and Maritime Policy
    
    
  • 20.05.08 - Speech by President Barroso at European Parliament, Strasbourg, 20 May 2008: European Maritime Day
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Speech by Dr Joe Borg at Maritime Day Stakeholder Conference, Brussels, 19 May 2008: European Maritime Day: Integration amid diversity is central to the Maritime Policy
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Remarks by John B Richardson on the occasion of the European Maritime Day Stakeholder Conference on 19-20 May 2008: Relations with Maritime Stakeholders in our Regional Seas
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Mr Helmut Bloech (DG Environment) at European Maritime Day – Stakeholder Conference, Brussels, 19 May 2008: What role for the regions in the Marine Strategy Directive?
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Michel Delebarre, 1er Vice-Président du Comité des Régions, Maire et Député de Dunkerque: Quels défis pour la mise en oeuvre régionale de la politique maritime? [ ~102 Kb]
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Sprechzettel für Minister Uwe Döring zum Tag der Europäischen Meere: „EINE INTEGRIERTE MEERESPOLITIK FÜR DIE EUROPÄISCHE UNION" [ ~80 Kb]
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Déclaration de M. Jean-Pierre Jouyet, secrétaire d'Etat aux affaires européennes: sur la politique maritime intégrée de l'Union européenne [ ~115 Kb]
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Intervenção de S. Exa. o Secretário de Estado da Defesa Nacional e dos Assuntos do Mar por ocasião das comemorações do Dia Europeu do Mar [ ~82 Kb]
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Speech by Director General José Manuel SILVA RODRÍGUEZ at European Maritime Day, Brussels, 19 May 2008: Challenges and Opportunities for European Regional Seas
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Rede des Europaabgeordneten Willi Piecyk: "Europäischer Tag der Meere" - Konferenz der Interessenvertreter in Brüssel [ ~71 Kb]
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Mr. Radovan ŽERJAV, Minister of Transport of Republic of Slovenia: European Maritime Day Stakeholder Conference [ ~1.79 MB]
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Dieter Benze, stellvertretender Vorsitzender der Europäischen Seeleutesektion für die Europäische Transportarbeiterföderation (ETF): Schon 72 Prozent der deutschen Tonnage unter Billigflaggen [ ~91 Kb]
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Professor Ed Hill, Director NOCS Vice Chair of ESF Marine Board: Presentation [ ~2.38 MB Kb]
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Paola Lancellotti, Secretary General, EMEC: European Maritime Day Stakeholder Conference [ ~3.03 MB]
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Laurent Monsaingeon, MedCruise President French Riviera Ports: Maritime Day Stakeholder Conference [ ~221 Kb]
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Intervention Patrick Verhoeven, Secretary General of ESPO: What challenges for the regional implementation of maritime policy? [ ~83 Kb]
    
    
  • 19.05.08 - Statement by state secretary Elisabeth Walaas on the occasion of the European Maritime Day [ ~133 Kb]
    
    
• Declaration [ ~135 Kb]
  
  
• Press releases

  • 19.05.08 - Questions and Answers on European Maritime Day

    

  • 15.05.08 - 20 May: European Maritime Day set up by European institutions

    [~120 Kb ]

• Concept Paper for Consultation with Stakeholders (~ 126 Kb)

• Programme ( ~ 127 Kb)
• Photo gallery

Stakeholder Events in the Regions:

• Schools to Sea: 16 May
  To celebrate European Maritime Day, local primary schools (by prior arrangement) will visit the Research Vessel Celtic Explorer in the fishing port of Killybegs, County Donegal.
  Over one hundred 8 to 11 years olds, the citizens of tomorrow, will have a unique opportunity to visit this state-of-the-art research vessel to learn about their maritime heritage and the crucial role played by the oceans and seas in their every day life.
  For further information visit:
  
  » www.marine.ie
  
  
  
• Cleaning the harbour floor of Ponza Island: 17 May
  “Niente Leghe sotto i Mari” is the campaign promoted by the environmental association Marevivo and Cobat – Consortium for spent lead-acid batteries – to free sea floors from dangerous waste, in collaboration with the the Italian Government Harbour Forces and supported by the Ministry for the Environment, Territory and Sea.The aim of the “Niente Leghe Sotto i Mari” campaign is to give a concrete contribution to the protection of the sea ecosystem from waste, especially from the dangerous elements - lead and sulphuric acid - contained in the spent lead-acid batteries dispersed on the sea harbour floors.
  
  » www.marevivo.it
  » www.cobat.it
  
  
  
• 11^th European Manning & Training Conference: 20 May
  With the conference Lloyd’s List events returns to the busy Baltic maritime hub on the Polish coast. The event brings together leading figures in the shipping community who are seeking to tackle one of the industry’s most pressing challenges, the growing shortage of manpower. Delegates will be brought up to speed with the latest developments in Polish and European ship manning. Leading speakers will also cover the international scene as they debate the most promising solutions to the manpower crisis.
  
  » www.manningandtraining.com/
  
  
• RORO 2008: 20-22 May
  RORO 2008, a large shipping industry event, will take place in Gothenburg from 20^th to 22^nd May 2008. The RORO 2008 conference programme focuses strongly on the environmental issues facing ro-ro operators, ports and global shipping companies. This wide ranging event explores both technical and logistical issues and features a large trade show with over 100 exhibitors. For more information, please visit:
  
  » www.roroex.com/
  
  
• 68^th International FISHING Fair: 23-25 May
  Rendez-vous in Ancona (Italy) from 23^rd to 25^th May 2008. This event will focus on equipment and innovative technologies, logistics, and quality for professional fishing, surrounding 3 thematic shows: Fish Tech, Quality Fish, and logistics and distribution. For more information, please visit:
  
  » www.fieradellapesca.it
  
  
• The Week of the Sea: 24 May
  EUCC - The Coastal Union will be involved in the Week of the Sea, a key maritime event starting May 24th in the Netherlands. This year's theme is 'full steam ahead'. During 9 days, the Netherlands will live in the atmosphere of dunes, sand and sea. For more information in Dutch, please visit:
  
  » www.weekvandezee.nl
  
  
• European Maritime Day - Plymouth Community Festival, Plymouth Hoe: 26 May
  Plymouth Harbour will be the stunning waterside backdrop to European Maritime Day and the Plymouth Community Festival this year. Expect live music from up and coming bands taking the opportunity to showcase their talents and a 40 strong fleet of yachts competing in the Sound for the IRS Yachts Championships.
  For further information visit:
  
  » http://www.plymouthdiary.co.uk/event.php?e=8790
  » http://www.maritimeplymouth.co.uk/
  
  
• Plymouth Community Festival: 26 May
  The European Maritime Day celebration at Plymouth Hoe features local organisations, live music, 40 strong fleet of yachts competing in the IRS Yachts Area Championships, and the City of Plymouth 'remote control racing' model Grand Prix. For more information, please visit:
  
  » http://www.plymouthsummerfestival.co.uk/Festival-Events/Plymouth-Half-Marathon.aspx