The MTC Policy Paper "Maritime Transport and Future Policies - Perspectives from
the North Sea Region" was officially launched during the Joint Annual Conference in Bremerhaven on 18^th June 2012.

This paper is a compilation of results generated by the North Sea Region Programme project Maritime Transport Cluster (MTC) in 2011/12. It comprises an analysis of all active 14 transport related projects within this programme,
maritime transport research and the results of a consultation with the maritime
industry in the North Sea Region.

In short, it offers a holistic perception and represents a common voice for stakeholders of the Interreg IV B North Sea Region Programme on maritime transport, enriched by the challenges, opportunities and experiences of the maritime industry.

The paper provides a coordinated and comprehensive picture of the hot topics for maritime transport in the North Sea Region and presents concrete recommendations for the Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission and the countries in the North Sea Region (EU Member States and Norway). In this way the paper is intended to act as an inspiration and to contribute to discussions on future EU cohesion and transport policy developments, thereby providing a common North Sea Region voice on these issues.

Ten following main themes were identified and they bring together a wide range of important and multifaceted perspectives from within the maritime transport sector:

1. A Leading Maritime Region
2. Efficient Transport
3. Smart Solutions
4. Combining the Modes
5. Infrastructure – the Solid Base
6. Planning the North Sea Region
7. Green Maritime Transport
8. Research and Knowledge Management
9. Working in the Transport Sector
10. Maritime Business Perspectives

The MTC Policy Paper is available for download on: http://www.maritimetransportcluster.eu/sites/default/files/MTC-%20Policy%20Paper_0.pdf

More information can be found on the MTC website: http://www.maritimetransportcluster.eu/