Homepage
Sitemap
Larger
Smaller
Login
Registration
Help
Terms of use
A European ports policy: call for a European maritime space without barriers
11.04.2008, 16:39
On the first day of the 74th plenary session, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted the opinion on A European Ports Policy drawn up by Rolf Harlinghausen, Member of Hamburg Parliament's Committee for European Affairs (DE/EPP). The CoR has pointed out that there is still no real internal market for maritime transport in Europe. Rolf Harlinghausen has said that a maritime space without barriers would be welcome.
Mr Harlinghausen emphasised that the ports policy must be considered in the context of maritime and transport policies, and not in isolation. His opinion has highlighted a system of ports suffering from serious problems, such as the absence of a real internal market for maritime transport. It also welcomes "any simplification in administrative procedures, the progress made in modernising customs formalities, and the Commission's initiative, announced for 2008, to establish a European Maritime Transport Space without Barriers".
Ports are of the utmost importance for the prosperity and competitiveness of Europe. The CoR advocates combining economic and environmental interests. According to the rapporteur, we must adapt without losing sight of environmental concerns. He is aware of the fact that much has been done with a view to environmental protection, but much more remains to be achieved: the fight against climate change must be taken into account.
The most important interchanges in the European Union, ports are the only place where five modes of transport converge: long and short haul, river, rail and road transport. The CoR has therefore logically drawn attention to the disproportionate number of ports in Europe, while stressing that any port development must be respectful of environmental concerns.
Other challenges include infrastructure and employment. The rapporteur has in particular indicated the many bottlenecks and stressed the need to "safeguard skilled jobs" and ensure good working conditions and improved lifelong learning. Similarly, to be well prepared to face the future, it is imperative that aid for ports be stepped up so that connections may be established with the hinterland.
The opinion states that many measures must be taken at European level, in compliance with the subsidiarity principle and not as part of a centralised policy. Clearer priorities and objectives should also be set.
The CoR also told the European Commission that competition did not only take place between specific ports: it also concerned entire transport chains. The Committee also called for intermodality and multimodality strategies which took account of region-specific characteristics. Lastly, it said that the concept of ports, that is to say the link between the high seas and the hinterland, should include all aspects of travel to ports, such as ice-breaking and dredging.
Source: www.cor.eu