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Editorial – Philippe MISSOFFE
Managing director, GICAN
The naval industry must address the major challenge of decarbonizing its sector. To this end, our industry is resolutely committed to reducing its carbon footprint, from its products to its processes. Our sector is aligned with the maritime decarbonization roadmap proposed to the State under Article 301 of the “Climate and Resilience” law, which has been submitted to government services. it establishes a joint action plan between the State, Industry, Shipowners, and Ports.
From a technological standpoint, the “Green Ship” development axis reflects this commitment by setting a course for Research and Development (R&D) efforts to generate the technological breakthroughs necessary for the sector’s decarbonization.
In compliance with European and global regulatory requirements, our industry must meet the challenge of accelerating technological processes to develop and deploy the construction and marketing of decarbonized vessels and green equipment, which involve an additional cost of 10% to 20% compared to traditional ships.
Current business models do not easily allow for the financing of these supplementary costs. Nevertheless, the entry of the French naval industry into these markets is essential for the competitiveness and sustainability of the naval industry on the international market. These efforts must be supported by public authorities to fully achieve this shared ambition of drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Investing in the construction of new industrial sites to meet the demand for decarbonized vessels between 100 and 200 meters, particularly through wind propulsion, the modernization of industrial tools, and the mass production of equipment for “green” ships are crucial issues for the French naval industry, our strategic autonomy, and the maintenance of our competitiveness on the international stage.
The naval sector is convinced of the need to pursue the decarbonization of its industry through innovation and seeks protection mechanisms against unfair competition to support its competitiveness during this energy transition.
In this regard, the naval industry welcomes the introduction of the “Green Industry” bill (Industrie verte), championed by Bruno LE MAIRE and Roland LESCURE, which aims to initiate the sustainable reindustrialization of our territory.