The BWO comments on the Dutch-German position paper on strengthening the European maritime industry. Offshore wind energy is a globally active industry and depends on world trade that is as free as possible, taking into account a "level playing field". International frameworks such as WTO guidelines should serve as a guide for the formulation of a European maritime industrial strategy.

Summary of the BWO’s recommendations:

• Ensuring energy supply through offshore wind energy
• Offshore wind energy will be more widely accepted if it also creates jobs
• a high proportion of the vessels required for offshore wind farm maintenance should be of European manufacture
• no additional requirements should be added for facilities under construction or operation
• simplified access to low-interest loans

The full statement can be found here.