On 23rd June 2016, the British public voted in favor of Brexit, or exit, from the European Union (EU). Of the British electorate, 17.4 million (51.9%) voted for Brexit, compared to 16.1 million (48.1%) for continued membership, with an overall turnout of 72.2%, higher than most expected. Ten years after the referendum, we meet with Mr. Cupido again and ask him about his opinion on Brexit - 10 years on.

From internal politics in 1989 to navigating Brexit in 2021, Wolfgang Sump’s 34-year journey on the OCEAN Board reflects the evolution of European ship supply. Discover an insider’s look at mastering EU veterinary, VAT, and customs affairs, and building a unified maritime trade voice.

Sveriges ship supply is evolving. Introducing Sveriges Fartygsleverantörer—a modern home for the entire ship supply ecosystem.

Chair of OCEAN's Excise expert group, Victor Aguilera, argues that in OCEAN' 50th anniversary, European ship suppliers face rising pressure from environmental rules, tax digitalization, and customs reform, reshaping costs and operations. Heading into the neyt 50 years, OCEAN must guide members, harmonize compliance, and influence policymakers to ensure sector competitiveness. At the same time, geopolitical shifts and security concerns demand proactive engagement to protect Europe’s strategic trade interests.

In this blog entry, Rafael Fernández congratulates OCEAN on its 50th anniversary in 2026. He praises its vital role as an ISSA committee and the voice of European ship supply, highlighting how their close collaboration drives global quality standards, sustainability, and maritime industry growth.

With France representing the world’s second marine space and over 525,000 jobs, ship supply remains a hidden titan. As OCEAN celebrates 50 years in 2026, we must bridge the visibility gap to ensure this vital industry remains a first-choice career, argues Axel Barat, Chair of SNAN, the French Ship Suppliers Organisation.