COVID-19 and European maritime futures: different pathways to deal with the pandemic

Abstract

The aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis and the re-development of maritime sectors in the EU will be unprecedented. This article deals with the consequences of COVID-19 for the maritime sectors’ cruise tourism, shipping, and fisheries. To give insight into the consequences of the pandemic on the longer term and to discuss these consequences in a systematic way, this article develops four potential maritime futures. These potential maritime futures are based on two key choices, the development of the EU and state-aid to maritime sectors. The first choice concerns a connected and solidary Europe versus a fragmented and differentiated EU. The second choice concerns the development of active maritime industry policies by the EU and Member States versus a neo-liberal free market model. Combining these two choices results in four potential maritime futures: “on board”, “single-handed sailing”, “all hands on deck”, and “to give a wide berth”. These maritime futures differ from each other in (marine) governance structures and processes and the support given to maritime sectors. The maritime futures give insight into the enabling and constraining conditions to deal with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic in specific, and how the maritime futures will affect the sustainable development of maritime sectors in general. For each of the maritime futures, the enabling and constraining conditions to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic are described, and the uncertainties of the future development of maritime sectors in the post COVID-19 period are discussed.

COVID-19: Insights into Potential Vaccines

“…It is now expected to deliver 17 million doses to the country [110]. The vaccine was also approved in Europe in early January to help fight against the pandemic [111]. On 20 December 2020, Moderna began transporting its vaccine to healthcare facilities throughout the United States of America [107].…”

Seaports during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Terminal Operators’ Tactical Responses to Disruptions in Maritime Supply Chains

“…The research studies completed hitherto have shown that the main risk connected with the COVID-19 pandemic in supply chains is distinctively characterised by long-term disruption existence, disruption propagations (i.e., the ripple effect), and high uncertainty [19][20][21][22][23][24]. The disruptions in global supply chains lead to significant uncertainties for the current functioning and future sustainable development of maritime sectors after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides [25,26]. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need to build more sustainable, smarter, and more resilient supply chains, because sustainability and resilience are complements [27][28][29][30].…”

Performance of the Car Carrier Shipping Sector in the Iberian Peninsula under the COVID-19 Scenario

“…All these studies are helping to improve the sector and are undoubtedly aimed at optimizing the activities of ships and port terminals. As can be seen in some current studies, such as those carried out by van Tatenhove [25] or Psaraftis [26], in order to ensure a stable future in the car carrier industry, adaptation to the situation following the COVID-19 pandemic is needed. For all these reasons, this research can be considered as relevant to the maritime sector, as it is necessary to develop research that analyzes the impact that the pandemic has had on the sector and the conclusions derived from it.…”