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EU port policy An example of unique EU policy making Visit of the College of Europe to the Port of Zeebrugge 19 September 2007, Zeebrugge Lieselot Marinus. I. A few words about ESPO. Founded in 1993 Represents European seaport authorities Members from EU+EEA Secretariat in Brussels
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EU port policy An example of unique EU policy making Visit of the College of Europe to the Port of Zeebrugge 19 September 2007, Zeebrugge Lieselot Marinus
I. A few words about ESPO • Founded in 1993 • Represents European seaport authorities • Members from EU+EEA • Secretariat in Brussels • Recognised counterpart of EU institutions
Key objectives of ESPO • To ensure that the economic importance of European ports is recognised in the EU • To ensure that the sector is consulted substantively on any measure likely to affect it; • To promote free and fair competition in the port sector; • To ensure that European ports play their full part in delivering economic efficiency; • To promote the highest possible safety standards in European ports; • To encourage ports to be proactive in protecting the environment.
II. EU port policy to date (I) EU port policy as such is not -yet- existing, but ports are affected by other EU policies: • Intermodality : Motorways of the Sea; Short Sea shipping; Marco Polo - Environment : • Port development: Implementation Natura 2000 legislation (Birds and Habitats Directives), Water Framework Directive (implications dredging) • Port operations: Air quality (Clean Air for Europe) • Ship-shore interface: Port reception facilities, Ship emissions • Maritime safety (Erika I and II packages) – 3rd Maritime Safety Package (now in Parliament and Council) • Focus on quality EU flags, port state control, classification societies, accident investigations and shipowner liability; • For ports: ship reporting (SafeSeaNet) and places of refuge
II. EU port policy to date (II) EU port policy as such is not -yet- existing, but ports are affected by other EU policies: - Security: Harmonized legislation for all EU ports: • Regulation 725/2004 on ship and port facility security (ISPS) • Directive 2005/65/EC on enhancing port security - Customs - Logistics policy - Maritime policy - Overall transport policy - …
III. The Port Package saga – example of unique EU policy making
What happened before? • 1997, European Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock (Ireland – Commission Santer ) writes a Green Paper on Sea Ports and Maritime Infrastructure • The Green Paper proposes – among other things – measures to regulate market access to port services • 1998, the European Commission organises a major public debate on its Green Paper • Most participants believe port financing should be the principal theme of a European port policy • The European Parliament and the Council of Ministers follow this line
First proposal for a Directive on market access to port services • Brussels, 13 February 2001 • European Transport Commissioner Loyola de Palacio (Spain – Commission Prodi) submits her first proposal for a port services’ Directive • Initial reactions are divided • But only few dispute the need for a European framework
2001, Directive goes through first reading in Parliament • For the time being nobody seems very worried about self-handling • Madrid, June 2002, Spanish Presidency Council of Ministers wants a Directive at any price • Resistance to self-handling mounts – strikes and demonstrations follow • Parliament starts second reading but is bound by its position in first reading
European Parliament – Strasbourg, 20 November 2003 • Parliament and Council reach consensus on the Directive through the “conciliation procedure” but fail to agree on self-handling • Parliament rejects compromise text with a marginal difference of about 20 votes
Second proposal for a Directive on market access to port services • Cruise Terminal - Rotterdam, 17 June 2004 • At the ESPO annual conference, Loyola de Palacio announces a second port services’ Directive • Trade unions speak of “a declaration of war” • On 13 October 2004 De Palacio publishes the Directive • No-one is warmly enthusiast about the second proposal but constructive salvage operations are undertaken
November 2005, EP Transport Committee unable to agree on a Report • Almost all parties now openly ask for withdrawal or rejection of the Directive • European Parliament - Strasbourg, 18 January 2006 • Dock labour unions organise strikes and a massive demonstration which turns into unseen violence • Parliament massively rejects the Directive • Transport Commissioner Barrot withdraws the Directive on 8 March 2006
IV. Future EU port policy “My ambition is to achieve a broadly based port policy which promotes investments, sustainable growth and employment” EU Commissioner for Transport Jacques Barrot, ESPO Conference 2006, Stockholm
Awaiting 17 October 2007: Communication on EU port policy “The future port policy should provide a solid basis for creating ‘ports for all seasons’” EU Commissioner for Transport Jacques Barrot at the ESPO conference 2007, Algeciras (1 June 2007)
Issues for further research • Upcoming EU initiatives (October 2007) • Maritime Blue Paper, • Common European Maritime Space, • EU ports policy, • EU logistics policy • Port governance • Evolution of governance in European seaports • Productivity of European seaports (international comparison) • Tariff structure of European seaports • Managing stakeholder relations in ports • The influence of global terminal operators on port competition • Sustainable port development • Corporate social responsibility of ports • Socio-economic impact of European seaports • Assessment of environmental management in European ports • Spatial planning as a tool to create legal certainty for port development
Thank you for your attention For more questions/information:lieselot.marinus@espo.be or www.espo.be