Bjarne Løf Henriksen’s Post

Looking for new office space? Prime location and best of company :-)

Global climate negotiations for shipping continue this week at International Maritime Organization in London: Crucial to maintain momentum and secure a pricing mechanism on shipping emissions. Go, go, IMO! My sharp colleagues from Danish Shipping are present and working hard to secure, among other things, support for a pricing mechanism that can reduce the price gap between fossil and green fuels. Negotiations take place in the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), where the IMO’s 176 member countries are working to implement the major climate agreement from 2023. In other words we hope to make the deal historical and a natural continuation of the EU's Green Deal on a global level. The regulation must be adopted next year and implemented from 2027 to make sure that the shipowners can achieve the agreed target of climate-neutral shipping by 2050. A goal that is shared by Danish Shipping in our strategy "Towards Zero". As my colleague Nina Porst explains: "It is important that we maintain the momentum created by last summer’s climate agreement. And although I do not expect any major breakthroughs at this meeting, it is incredibly important that the negotiations now intensify among all the key players. These are absolutely necessary steps on the way to hopefully a really good result. A pricing mechanism must be established that can reduce the price gap between fossil and green fuels. A technical mechanism must also be established to gradually reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of the fuel being consumed. And we need a ‘well-to-wake’ approach, where the full life cycle of fuels is taken into account.”

Only a few days in Moldova but with a thorough program that gave us different prisms to study this proud country with many truths and possibilities. The campaign for the EU membership referendum was launched during our stay with a heartfelt speech by President Maia Sandu. The referendum is scheduled to be held in Moldova on 20 October 2024 and will be historical in many ways. Attracting investments is a central focus with a strong demand for investments in logistics, rail cargo, cold-chain operations, renewable energy, value optimisation of export goods and more. Legal and investment security is a key focus of the government together with liberal business regulation. But the business models, access to manpower, consessions regulations, tax and trade frameworks are not transparent during such a short visit. Culturally, Moldova is a wonderful country with a colourful heritage, strong culinary scene and wonderful wines. The prisms to understand Moldova consisted of briefings with the EU delegation to Moldova Mate Csicsai, Denmark’s Ambassador to Moldova Søren Jensen, Director General of Invest Moldova Natalia Bejan, MP Radu Marian, Deputy Prime Minister Dumitru Alaiba, Head of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, Market Director of Orhei-Vit Bent Björlin Hansen and our guide Nicolai. Thank you all for the open dialogue. Not to mention the cocktails at Marlène to evaluate the daily fact findings of the delegation. DanEx is an independent Brussels-based association for Danish executives living in Belgium. Every second year a fact finding mission is planned and this year it was Moldova due to the situation in Ukraine, the historical links to Soviet and Russia, and the possible accession of Moldova to the European Union.

Jobåbning som kommunikations- og pressechef hos Danske Rederier. Vær med til at synliggøre Danmarks største eksporterhverv med en bred kontaktflade og mange dagsordener i Danmark, EU og globalt. https://lnkd.in/d89mVKDU

La vie en rose. Congratulations Charlotte Arentoft on reaching this incredible milestone of 25 years with Danish Shipping! Your dedication, hard work, and commitment over the years have been truly inspiring. You have been more than just a colleague. You have been the social anchor of our Brussels office, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Your presence has brought us together and made our team stronger. Just like the flowers, you bring colour to the world. Warmest congratulations, dear colleague, dear friend.

Congratulations to Dan Jørgensen and the entire College of Commissioners. A strong climate focus and access to green fuels together with a strong business model for the Green Deal = the Clean Industrial Deal. All important agendas for Danish Shipping and European shipping. Commissioner Dan Jørgensen will be responsible for energy and housing with a special task to lower energy prices, reduce fossil energy consumption and energy independence. Scaling up the production of alternative energy and securing access to cheaper green fuels for shipping is very much in demand looking at the green orderbook of new vessels for European shipowners. A new industrial strategy in the form of a Clean Industrial Deal will be the centre of attention in the spring. Also, the message from Ursula von der Leyen that the external dimension will be a key focus, was positive to note. All together a stronger competitiveness of European industry in an ambitious green direction and with a strong global voice. Very promising for the work program 2024-2029 of the new European Commission. Can’t wait!

Nyt job for en klimakæmper. Historisk global klimaaftale er i horisonten. Nye klimalovgivninger i EU træder i kraft 1. januar 2025. Og der skal ryddes op i de nye regler og rederier skal vejledes. Søg inden 4. oktober og vær med til at gøre en kollosal forskel. https://lnkd.in/egsg6Me8

At a special Council meeting in April, the EU leaders called for strengthening the EU’s competitiveness. This week Mario Draghi captured the Zeitgeist with his report: The future of European competitiveness - shipping included. On the Competitiveness Council meeting 26 September the ministers will discuss the future of European competitiveness and how to tackle the challenges facing industry and businesses in the single market. Mario Draghi will participate on the meeting. The findings of the Draghi report will contribute to the Commission’s work on a new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness and to the development of the new Clean Industrial Deal, which will be presented in the first 100 days of the new Commission mandate. What is in it for shipping? Danish Shipping welcomes the Draghi Report’s focus on com­pe­ti­ti­ve­ness and green transition, calling for increased investment in innovation and support for global climate regulation. At the same time, we are pleased that the report emphasises the strategic importance of shipping for Europe. In recent decades, although European shipping has grown, Europe has been gradually squeezed by both the US and China: Europe’s share of the global merchant fleet has declined, while China has gained significant market share. Nevertheless, European shipping is highlighted as a considerable strength, with over 35% of the world’s fleet under European flag. As my colleague and Deputy CEO of Danish Shipping, Jacob K. Clasen explained after reading the Draghi report: "European shipping continues to grow, but others are growing faster. Therefore, we must constantly optimise our com­pe­ti­ti­ve­ness and focus on innovation. The Draghi Report points to the right areas, and we wholeheartedly support strengthening the framework for European shipping companies, with green transition being part of our com­pe­ti­ti­ve­ness." We support the need for significant investments in green transition, including the expansion of green energy and the production of green fuels for the shipping sector - and simplify bureaucracy. There is a need for an assertive approach to global climate agreements, particularly through the International Maritime Organization (IMO), if we are to realise the many ambitious green goals. The future of the workforce is also pivotal for shipping, as new skills and education are needed in the shipping sector to meet the digital, AI and green transformation. China features prominently in the report. Among other things, the question of decoupling from China to reduce Europe’s dependence on rare minerals and technologies, areas where China has a strong position. It is clear that we cannot afford to be naive. But the EU also cannot simply shut itself off. We must strengthen supply chains and act proactively to secure trade agreements with key countries such as Australia, India, and Indonesia. There is much to be done according to Draghi. My list here is far from exhaustive.

En ny EU-sæson står for døren. Der skal vind i sejlene til en ny Kommission. De danske EU-politikere skal i arbejdstøjet og færdiggøre en stribe arvesager. Dansk EU-formandskab i sigte i 2025. Ergo: Faglig fest! Europa-Kommissionen: Danmark skal have en ny kommissær. Tillykke til Dan Jørgensen, der nu skal lande en konkret portefølje. Om det bliver klimahandling eller sikring af vedvarende energi vil begge være af stor relevans for dansk søfart. Før sommerferien godkendte Europa-Parlamentet, at Ursula von der Leyen fortsætter som formand for Kommissionen - et genvalg med opbakning til en ambitiøs grøn kurs. Jeg ser særligt frem til at se udkastet til en Clean Industrial Deal, der forhåbentlig accelererer reduktionen af emissioner, sikrer hurtigere udrulning af grøn energi og billigere priser på grøn energi og brændstoffer. En grøn ambition med klare gevinster for konkurrenceevnen globalt er centralt, så vi undgår scenariet med et ”European Museum of Industry”. Europa-Parlamentet: Set med dansk skibsfarts øjne ser det rigtig lovende ud, når danske EU-politikere er stærkt repræsenterede i de mest centrale udvalg. I Danish Shipping har vi særligt fokus på klima-, industri- og transportpolitik. Og her er de danske politikere fint repræsenteret. Jeg ser meget frem til at samarbejde med både de danske EU-politikere og deres kolleger og kan særligt nævne tre sager på tapetet: 1) revisionen af dyretransport, da vi ser et stort behov for, at skibe fra ikke EU-lande bliver stillet overfor samme høje standarder som EU-flagede skibe, 2) udvalgsbehandlingen af både CountEmissionsEU og Green Claims, som på forskellig vis skal give incitamenter til virksomhedernes grønne omstilling gennem dokumentation og rapportering af tranportens CO2-emissioner og ved at forhindre greenwashing ved hjælp af klækkelige bøder, så forbrugere kan tage klare grønne valg, når de køber et produkt eller en service. Danmarks EU-formandskab: Der udnævnes forud for det danske EU-formandskab en Europaminister, og formandskabet i anden halvdel af 2025 kommer til at have en tydelig grøn dagsorden, sagde statsministeren på dagens pressemøde om nye ministerier og dansk kommissær. Men sikkerhed - både økonomisk og forsvarsmæssigt - og EU's udvidelse vil også blive centrale temaer. Det danske formandskab vil i det hele taget blive spændende, da det på mange måder bliver åbningsballet for den nye Kommissions arbejdsprogram og præsentation af nye initiativer. Jeg nævnte indledningsvis Clean Industrial Deal. Enrico Letta har i foråret leveret en rapport til Kommissionen om det Indre Marked og særligt nødvendige forbedringstiltag, hvor nærskibsfarten havde sit eget afsnit. Mario Draghi forventes at offentliggøre en længe ventet rapport om EU’s konkurrenceevne og anbefalinger til at styrke disse i september. Alle temaer vil jeg forvente at optage en stor del af dagsordenen under et dansk EU-formandskab. Foto fra årets sommerferie og vind i sejlene ombord på Allegra fra Svendborg til København.

The political manifesto of re-elected Commission President Ursula von der Leyen matches all priorities of Danish Shipping for 2024-2029. A Clean Industrial Deal will support a climate neutral and competitive EU-shipping. In Danish Shipping we are very pleased that Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected and can proceed the ambitious work of the past European Commission. The promissed Clean Industrial Deal should maintain an ambitious climate policy and ensure that there are enough green fuels for the ships. In parallel, it is important that the EU and member states push for a global path to shipping's climate neutrality in the UN's maritime organisation IMO. Ursula von der Leyen further wants to pursue an active trade and industrial policy as a shield against geopolitical crises and increasing protectionism, which put supply chains under pressure. It is also important for the re-elected President that the EU stands more united to defend the security of Europeans. It is pivotal that our seafarers can sail safely. Attacks on seafarers, merchant ships, and the freedom of navigation on the world's oceans are completely unacceptable. In the internal market, a commissioner will be responsible for ensuring the implementation and simplification of EU legislation. All commissioners must deliver directly to reduce reporting requirements, administrative burdens, propose regulatory sim­pli­fi­ca­tions, and faster permits. This also opens for a review of the framework for short-sea shipping in the EU. Read the full statement in the comments below together with the priorities of Danish Shipping for 2024-2029. Photos are from the livestream in European Parliament as the votes were official and the European Commission when Ursula von der Leyen 14 September 2023 was in Copenhagen for, among other things, to name Maersk's methanol vessel Larua Maersk -  the world’s first ever container vessel sailing on green methanol.