### SSS-CA: Technical Secretariat

ŠNTUA, 1996

The Technical Secretariat of this concerted action is a four-partner consortium that manages the action on behalf of the Commission.

The Coordinator of the Consortium (partner No. 1) is the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. NTUA's experience relevant to shortsea shipping is particularly significant:

1. NTUA has recently completed a major research study on Greek coastal shipping.
2. NTUA is active in the design of innovative concepts and systems for fast waterborne transport.
3. NTUA has established strong links with the shortsea shipping community in Europe, both at the research level and at the user level.

Further, the Department's participation in EU-sponsored research programmes (including maritime transport R&D) is very rich. This includes programmes such as MAST, BRITE/EURAM, THERMIE, JOULE, ESPRIT, RACE, EURET, and TRANSPORT.

NTUA's role within this concerted action is to coordinate the technical aspects of the action, such as compile the state of the art study, synthesize input on pilot projects, monitor relatedDGVII projects, and write the final report.

The Alliance of Maritime Regional Interests in Europe (AMRIE- partner No. 2) was formed in 1993 to complement the work of the Maritime Industries Forum (MIF) in the political arena. It is registered with the Ministere de la Justice du Moniteur Belge in the category of Associations Sans But Lucratif. The objective is to ensure that there is the political will and drive to implement measures which are of benefit to maritime regional activities and give those most affected by any changes being made an input to the decision making process. It is pan- European and cross-party and is sponsored by three Members of the European Parliament, and is governed by a Steering Group representing regions in the European Union, together with representatives of the European Transport Workers Unions. There are four Specialist Working Groups which reflect the priority topics of employment, environment and centres of excellence. The ultimate goal is to establish an integrated maritime strategy, which means there is a high priority placed on the creation and supporting of policies which enhance the prospects of maritime regions.

AMRIE's role in this concerted action is to provide administrative support.

Partner No. 3 is the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) in Bremen. ISL is a non-profit independent foundation. Its objective is applied research and development in the fields of transport economics, logistics, and telematics. In addition to studies, ISL undertakes software development, consulting services, and educational tasks with regard to planning, land-sea logistics, and intra- as well as inter- company logistics and telematics. Besides the three research departments called Business Economics, Transport, and Telematics, which are headed by professors of the University and Polytechnics of the State of Bremen, ISL is operating one of the largest specialized libraries in the field of shipping economics in the world. Research projects are commissioned by national and international institutions and governments, as well as by private companies all over the world. Actual R&D projects of the European Union are within the EURET, ESPRIT, ENS, and RACE programmes of the DGVII and DGXIII.

ISL's role in this concerted action is to provide technical assistance in monitoring related telematics projects.

The Foundation WEGEMT (partner No. 4) is a European Association of Universities in Marine Technology and related sciences. The aim of the Foundation is to increase the knowledge base, and update and extend the skills and competence of engineers and postgraduate students working at an advanced level in marine technology and related sciences. The Foundation considers collaborative research, education and training at an advanced level such as graduate courses, workshops and seminars, and the dissemination of information, as activities which further the aims of the Foundation. Since its foundation in 1975 by 15 Universities from 10 West European countries, the membership of WEGEMT has considerably increased and counts today more than 33 Universities from 19 European countries and more than 22 Graduate Schools on a variety of subjects of Marine Technology have been successfully organised by its members.

WEGEMT's role in this concerted action is to provide technical assistance in monitoring related ship design / engineering projects.

State of the art study
Pilot projects
Meetings and workshops

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