The European shipping industry is a success story and a geostrategic asset to the EU in the face of global challenges. European shipowners operate one of the largest, youngest and most innovative fleets in the world. With its diverse fleet of container ships, tankers, passenger ships, bulk carriers, offshore service vessels and many other specialised ships, the EU shipping industry contributes a total of €147 billion to the EU’s annual GDP. The fleet also boasts one of the best safety records in the world.