The man who championed the European Union crewing directive has been appointed chairman of the European Union seafaring task force.

Sir Robert Coleman is to lead the task force in its search for “innovative” solutions to the bloc’s recruitment and retention problems.

The other members of the panel, which will include independent experts, have not been made public. The panel has been convened due to the perceived failure of talks between industry and unions. It’s main task over the next year will be to “combine the competitiveness of the European fleet with social considerations for the seafarers”.

In other key appointments, Jean-Louis Colson is to replace Simon Mordue as head of maritime safety, seafarers and regulation. He takes his place in the newly re-jigged Brussels transport ministry, now called DG Move. The acronym, according to one report, stands for “mobiliteit en vervoer”, which is Dutch for mobility and transport, though Dutch is not one of the commission’s three working languages.

As expected, Fotis Karamitsos was confirmed as director of the maritime arm of the transport ministry, now directorate C. Dimitrios Theologitis, head of port policy, also takes on responsibility for inland waterways. A new unit for maritime security has been created by does not yet have a unit chief. It is headed in an acting capacity by Mr Karamitsos.

The transport ministry has been stripped of competence for competition, state aid and Galileo, the EU’s satellite navigation system. A separate directorate-general for energy has been created.

Source: Lloyds List, February 2010