Conference in Brussels (European Parliament)

Albrecht Gundermann spoke in Brussels at the high-level conference: “The Autonomous Region of Madeira in the EU’s Strategic Agenda: Connectivity, Security, Sustainability” held at the European Parliament.

In his presentation, “Choose Madeira, Embrace Europe,” Albrecht highlighted Madeira’s critical role in strengthening Europe’s maritime influence:

• Strategic Reflagging: Around 85% of Madeira-registered vessels currently sail under offshore flags. Reflagging EU-owned ships to Madeira strengthens European jurisdiction, compliance, and soft power at sea.
• Europe’s Fleet Potential: Over 9,600 EU-owned vessels operate under non-EU flags, totaling 300+ million GT. Even partial reflagging could boost Europe’s influence and security.
• Portugal’s Leadership: Unlike other EU flags, Portugal consistently supports EU positions on issues like the Russian shadow fleet and the IMO Net-Zero Framework, reinforcing EU unity and maritime governance.

Looking ahead to 2032, Madeira aims to become a top-tier European maritime hub:

• 2,000 vessels registered in Madeira
• Fully digital, ESG-linked registry
• Leading role in maritime safety, sustainability, and EU influence
• Top 10 global flags and IMO Council membership

Bringing together senior EU policymakers and regional leaders, the event – hosted by MEP Paulo do Nascimento Cabral – underlined Madeira’s growing importance within Europe’s strategic, economic and maritime agenda. 
 

The strong presence of Madeira’s President Miguel Albuquerque and Rogério Gouveia, President of SDM, reflected the close partnership between EUROMAR, the Regional Government of Madeira and SDM, all united by a shared vision: positioning Madeira at the heart of Europe’s sustainable and secure maritime future.
 

This collaboration demonstrates that Madeira is far more than a remote island – it is a strategic European platform, fostering connectivity, security and sustainable growth, while contributing to the EU’s global competitiveness and resilience.