CHENEVARD Report Conference: What next? A look back at the ‘strategic fleet’ conference
A conference organised by Jeune Marine at the ENSM in Le Havre
The ENSM would like to thank JEUNE MARINE for choosing its Le Havre site to organise a major event devoted to the concept of the strategic fleet, a key issue for the future of French shipping.
The conference highlighted an essential distinction: strategic fleet or fleet strategy? This debate fed into discussions on the parliamentary report submitted by Yannick Chenevard MP, at the initiative of Hervé Berville, then Secretary of State for the Sea. This report, enriched by a ministerial initiative entrusted to François Lambert, Director General of the ENSM, enabled a broad consultation including the French Navy, armed forces support services, French shipowners and trade unions.
The contributors explored the follow-up to the proposals put forward. From ‘the logic of ships’ to ‘adapting to the strategic context’, they stressed the importance of ‘maintaining, supporting and developing the civilian fleet’, in particular Laurent Martens, Xavier Génin, Jérôme Navarro and Stéphane Huchet. The dialogue between the Merchant Navy and the French Navy also highlighted ‘the employment of strategic skills at sea’, with the participation of Éric Janicot, Admiral Slaars, Jean-Philippe Quitot and Anne Légrégeois (DGAMPA).
In an uncertain geopolitical context, coordination between the State and private players, represented by SG Mer Pierre Rialland, the Cluster Maritime Français and Armateurs de France, is more essential than ever.
« In a more dangerous, more unpredictable world, where we are impatiently awaiting statements from our American ‘ally’, we need to look at our capacity, our power, in the interests of the nation. What maritime power can we generate from our flag to enable our fellow citizens to live as we do today? Is it up to the State to guarantee this security, these supplies, this power, if need be by sea? My answer is unambiguous. Yes, the State, working alongside the private sector, must acquire a strategic fleet. Based on a criticality matrix, we must be able to establish a number of priorities in terms of our country’s maritime capacity, in support of the actions of the French Navy, whose involvement and commitment I salute. I am convinced that the ENSM must play a role in this ambition, in the follow-up to the report.»
ENSM would like to thank Philippe TABAROT, Minister of Transport, for his opening message, and Edouard Philippe, who concluded the event by stressing the importance of the sea, the danger of the moment and the need to work together.
The school would also like to thank all the speakers and participants for the richness of the discussions, which impressed the students with their quality and depth.
Watch the full lecture :
