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GATS and Maritime Transport. Pierre Latrille WTO Trade in Services Division. Maritime transport and governments. Early days Colonies and monopolies Recent developments. GATS: Advantages of binding. More investment (secured through guaranteed conditions of access for investors)
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GATS and Maritime Transport Pierre Latrille WTO Trade in Services Division
Maritime transport and governments • Early days • Colonies and monopolies • Recent developments
GATS: Advantages of binding • More investment (secured through guaranteed conditions of access for investors) • State of the art technologies and management • More competition • Better services • Lower prices for the consumer • Win-Win effect on foreign markets
GATS commitments - Guarantee the conditions of operation of foreign services suppliers at a certain negotiated level of market access and national treatment - Ensure that this level cannot be deteriorated - Make this level available as a minimum to all WTO Members - Are subject to periodic negotiations with a view to improve them
GATS “Scheduling” principles (1) • Positive listing of sectors • Negative listing of restrictions • Modes of delivery • cross-border • consumption abroad • commercial presence • temporary movement of natural persons
GATS “Scheduling” principles (2) • Market Access (MA): 6 exhaustive categories of discriminatory and non-discriminatory measures • number of suppliers • value of transactions/assets • number of operations • number of persons • legal form • foreign capital
GATS “Scheduling” principles (3) • National treatment (NT): any discriminatory measure de facto or de jure • Additional commitments • Freedom to modulate • Minimum MFN standard effect
Two overlapping classifications CPC A MMS • Rental and Leasing with crew • Maintenance and repair • Pushing and towing • Supporting services for water transport by sea-going vessels* • Access to/use of ports services • Container depot station • [Multimodal transport] • [Access to/use of multimodal transport] • Custom clearance • Maritime agency services (?) • International maritime transport (freight and passenger) • Cargo handling • Storage and warehousing • Freight forwarding H • Freight brokerage bill auditing… (749) *port and waterway operation, pilotage, navigation, aid, salvage, cleaning...
CPC: Relevant sub-sectors 11. TRANSPORT SERVICE A. Maritime Transport Services a. Passenger transportation 7211 b. Freight transportation 7212 c. Rental of vessels with crew 7213 d. Maintenance and repair of vessels 8868** e. Pushing and towing services 7214 f. Supporting services for maritime transport 745** H. Services auxiliary to all modes of transport a. Cargo-handling services 741 b. Storage and warehouse services 742 c. Freight transport agency services 748 d. Other 749 ** CPC code covers other services as well
CPC: Passenger transportation 11. TRANSPORT SERVICE A. Maritime Transport Services a. Passenger transportation 7211 • 72111 Passenger transportation by ferries Passenger transportation by ocean‑going or coastal water ferries, including hydrofoils and hovercraft, on a scheduled or non‑scheduled basis • 72119 Other passenger transportation Passenger transportation on the high seas and on coastal waters by seagoing vessels, on a scheduled or non‑scheduled basis, regardless of the class of service, and including passenger accompanying baggage transportation
CPC: Freight transportation b. Freight transportation 7212 • 72121 Transportation of frozen or refrigerated goodsTransportation by seagoing vessels of frozen or refrigerated goods in specially refrigerated compartments • 72122 Transportation of bulk liquids or gasesTransportation by seagoing vessels of bulk liquids or gases in special tankers. These vessels may also be refrigerated • 72123 Transportation of containerized freightTransportation by seagoing vessels of individual articles and packages assembled and shipped in specially constructed shipping containers designed for ease of handling in transport • 72129 Transportation of other freightTransportation by seagoing vessels of freight not elsewhere classified
CPC: Rental of vessels with crew c. Rental of vessels with crew 7213 • 72130 Rental services of seagoing vessels with operatorRental and leasing services of all types of self‑propelled, seagoing vessels with operator, such as passenger vessels (except pleasure boats) tankers, bulk dry cargo vessels, cargo and freight vessels, tugboats and fishing vessels Exclusions: • Leasing or rental services of vessels without operator are classified in subclass 83103 • Leasing or rental services of seagoing pleasure boats are classified in subclass 96499 (Other recreational services n.e.c.)
CPC: Maintenance and towing services d. Maintenance and repair of vessels 8868** e. Pushing and towing services 7214 - 72140 Towing and pushing servicesTowing and pushing services on the high seas and on coastal waters. These services are generally provided by vessels which do not themselves carry freight or passengers. Included here are towing services of oil rigs, floating cranes, dredging vessels, buoys, and of hulls and incomplete vessels, on a fee or contract basis. Towing services for distressed seagoing vessels are also included
CPC: Supporting services (1) f. Supporting services for maritime transport 745** • 7451 74510 Port and waterway operation services (excl. cargo handling)Port operation services such as wharves, docks, piers, quays and other marine terminal facilities related services, including passenger terminal services in connection with marine transportation, on a fee or contract basis, and operating and maintenance services of boat, barge and ship canals, of canalized rivers and of other artificial inland waterways. Also included here are services of locks, boat lifts, weirs, sluices and towing services on canals other than by tugboat, e.g. by tractors or locomotiveson the towpath
CPC: Supporting services (2) f. Supporting services for maritime transport 745** • 7451 74510 Port and waterway operation services (excl. cargo handling)Exclusions: • Stevedoring services are classified in subclass 74110 (Container handling services), if for containerized freight, and in 74190 (Other cargo handling services), if for non‑containerized freight • Port storage and warehousing services are classified in group 742 (Storage and warehousing services) • Tugboat‑assisted docking and towing services are classified in subclass 74520 (Pilotage and berthing services)
CPC: Supporting services (3) f. Supporting services for maritime transport 745** • 7452 74520 Pilotage and berthing servicesTugboat services in connection with the docking and undocking of vessels of all types, and pilotage services, including the services of pilot vessels, whether supplied to conduct a vessel in or out of harbours or around navigational danger • 7453 74530 Navigation aid servicesServices provided by lighthouses, lightships and light vessels, buoys, channel markers, and similar aids to navigation
CPC: Supporting services (4) f. Supporting services for maritime transport 745** • 7454 74540 Vessel salvage and refloating servicesVessel salvage services, whether provided on ocean and coastal waters or on inland waters. Such services consist of recovering distressed and sunk vessels and their cargoes, including the raising of sunken vessels, the righting of capsized vessels and the refloating of stranded vessels Exclusions: • Towing services supplied to distressed vessels are classified in subclass 72140, if for seagoing vessels, and in 72240, if for non‑seagoing vessels • Lifeboat services, marine fireboat services and other marine search and rescue services are classified in subclass 91260 (Police and fire protection services) and 91290 (Other public order and safety affairs related services)
CPC: Supporting services (5) f. Supporting services for maritime transport 745** • 7459 74590 Other supporting services for water transportCleaning, disinfecting, fumigating, vermin control and similar services, on board docked or anchored vessels, on a fee or contract basis, water transport supporting services directly connected with vessel operations not elsewhere classified, and not directly connected with vessel operations, such as icebreaking, vessel registration, vessel laying‑up and storage services, etc. Exclusions: • Lifeboat services, marine fireboat services and other marine search and rescue services are classified in subclass 91260 (Police and fire protection services) and 91290 (Other public order and safety affairs related services)
CPC: Cargo-handling services (1) H. Services auxiliary to all modes of transport a. Cargo-handling services 741 • 7411 74110 Container handling services Cargo handling services provided for freight in special containers. Included are services of freight terminal facilities, on a fee or contract basis, for all modes of transport, including stevedoring services (i.e. the loading, unloading and discharging of vessels' containerized freight, at ports)
CPC: Cargo-handling services (2) H. Services auxiliary to all modes of transport a. Cargo-handling services 741 • 7419 74190 Other cargo handling services Cargo handling services provided for non‑containerized freight or for passenger baggage. Included are services of freight terminal facilities, on a fee or contract basis, for all modes of transport, including stevedoring services (i.e. the loading, unloading and discharging of vessels' non‑containerized freight, at ports), and cargo handling services incidental to freight transport, not elsewhere classified. Also included are baggage handling services at airports, and at bus, rail or highway vehicle terminals Exclusions: Other supporting and auxiliary transport services linked to a specific mode of transport are classified in subclass 74300 for railway transport, subclass 74490 for road transport, subclass 74590 for water transport and subclass 74690 for air transport
CPC: Storage and warehouse services b. Storage and warehouse services 742 7421 74210 Storage services of frozen or refrigerated goods Storage and warehousing services of frozen or refrigerated goods, including perishable food products 7422 74220 Bulk storage services of liquids or gases Bulk storage and warehousing services of liquids and gases 7429 74290 Other storage or warehousing services Storage and warehousing services of other goods, including: cotton, grain, wool, tobacco, other farm products, and other household goods
CPC: Other auxiliary services c. Freight transport agency services 748 Freight brokerage services, freight forwarding services (primarily transport organization or arrangement services on behalf of the shipper or consignee), ship and aircraft space brokerage services, and freight consolidation and break‑bulk services d. Other 749 Freight brokerage services; bill auditing and freight rate information services; transportation document preparation services; packing and crating and unpacking and de‑crating services; freight inspection, weighing and sampling services; and freight receiving and acceptance services (including local pick‑up and delivery)
Classification issues • Inadequacies of classical classification have led to the elaboration of the model schedule, based on four “pillars” - international maritime transport - maritime auxiliary services - access to /use of port services - multimodal transport
Two overlapping classifications ... CPC A MMS • Rental and Leasing with crew • Maintenance and repair • Pushing and towing • Supporting services for water transport by sea-going vessels* • Access to/use of ports services • Container depot station • [Multimodal transport] • [Access to/use of multimodal transport] • Custom clearance • Maritime agency services (?) • International maritime transport (freight and passenger) • Cargo handling • Storage and warehousing • Freight forwarding H • Freight brokerage, bill auditing… (749) *port and waterway operation, pilotage, navigation, aid, salvage, cleaning...
MMS Pillar 1: Definitions (1) (i) Definition of Maritime International Freight Transport WITHOUT multimodal transport services: "Transportation of international freight by seagoing vessel from the port of loading in one country to the port of discharge in another country"
MMS Pillar 1: Definitions (2) [1. Without prejudice to the scope of activities which may be considered as "cabotage" under the relevant national legislation, this schedule does not include "maritime cabotage services", which are assumed to cover transportation of passengers or goods between a port located in ... (name of country or, for the EEC, "a Member State") and another port located in ... (name of the country or, for the EEC, "the same Member State") and traffic originating and terminating in ... the same port located in (name of country, or for the EEC, "a Member State") provided that this traffic remains within ... (name of country or " this Member State")'s territorial waters]
Schedules: Footnote for Mode 3 (b) 2. "Other forms of commercial presence for the supply of international maritime transport services" means the ability for international maritime transport service suppliers of other Members to undertake locally all activities which are necessary for the supply to their customers of a partially or fully integrated transport service, within which the maritime transport constitutes a substantial element. (This commitment shall however not be construed as limiting in any manner the commitments undertaken under the cross-border mode of delivery)
MMS Classification: Summary for Pillar 1 International transport suggested to be defined … • without cabotage • without multimodal • according to CPC or ad hoc definitions • distinguishing liner from bulk in mode 1 • distinguishing the establishment of registered company operating the national flag from other forms of commercial presence (mode 3) • distinguishing the situation of the ship’s crew from the one of on shore key personnel (mode 4)
MMS Classification: Pillar 2 Maritime auxiliary services: 6 services with proper definitions • cargo handling (excluding dockers) • storage and warehousing • custom clearance services • container station and depot services • maritime agency • freight forwarding services
Cargo handling services 4. "Maritime cargo handling services" means activities exercised by stevedore companies, including terminal operators, but not including the direct activities of dockers, when this workforce is organised independently of the stevedoring or terminal operator companies. The activities covered include the organisation and supervision of - the loading/discharging of cargo to/from a ship - the lashing/unlashing of cargo - the reception/delivery and safekeeping of cargoes before shipment or after discharge
Storage and warehousing services Storage and warehouse services (based on CPC) 7421 74210 Storage services of frozen or refrigerated goods Storage and warehousing services of frozen or refrigerated goods, including perishable food products 7422 74220 Bulk storage services of liquids or gases Bulk storage and warehousing services of liquids and gases 7429 74290 Other storage or warehousing services Storage and warehousing services of other goods, including: cotton, grain, wool, tobacco, other farm products, and other household goods
Customs clearance services 5. "Customs clearance services" (alternatively "customs house brokers' services") means activities consisting in carrying out on behalf of another party customs formalities concerning import, export or through transport of cargoes, whether this service is the main activity of the service provider or a usual complement of its main activity
Container station and depot services 6. "Container station and depot services" means activities consisting in storing containers, whether in port areas or inland, with a view to their stuffing/stripping, repairing and making them available for shipments
Maritime agency services 7. "Maritime agency services" means activities consisting in representing, within a given geographic area, as an agent the business interests of one or more shipping lines or shipping companies, for the following purposes - marketing and sales of maritime transport and related services, from quotation to invoicing, and issuance of bills of lading on behalf of the companies, acquisition and resale of the necessary related services, preparation of documentation, and provision of business information - acting on behalf of the companies organising the call of the ship or taking over cargoes when required
Freight forwarding services 8. "Freight forwarding services" means [the activity consisting of organising and monitoring shipment operations on behalf of shippers, through the acquisition of transport and related services, preparation of documentation and provision of business information]
MMS Classification: Pillar 3 Access/use of port services - Shipowners seen as users of port services - The aim is not to liberalize the port services concerned… - but to ensure that they are available on reasonable and non discriminatory terms and conditions - hence the additional commitments tool
Access/use of port services • 9 services covered • Pilotage • Towing and the tug assistance • Provisioning fuelling and watering • Garbage collecting and ballast waste disposal • Port captain services* • Navigation aids • Shore based operational services essential to ship operations including communications, water and electrical supplies • Emergencies repair facilities • [Anchorage berth and berthing services] * In fact “harbour master services”
MMS Classification: Pillar 4 Multimodal transport • Maximal option: liberalize the activity itself • Minimal option: liberalize the access to and use of multimodal transport
Section II What it has achieved so far
GATS Commitments: 1993 • 29 Members maintained their commitments which immediately entered into force, including MFN aspects • Of these 29 Members, 8 have followed the maritime model schedule • Many MFN exemptions remained “on the books” while not needed
GATS Commitments: 1995-1996 • Negotiating Group on Maritime Transport Services (NGMTS) • Only 2 new commitments (Norway and Iceland) • 2 modified ones (Canada and Malaysia) • all 4 in a “Maritime Model Schedule” format • Decision of the Council for Trade in Services (CTS), dated 28 June 1996 (S/L/24)
CTS Decision S/L/24 (1) • Suspends the negotiations • “Resumes with the commencement of comprehensive negotiations on services in accordance with Article XIX...” • “It is agreed that negotiation will be resumed on the basis of existing or improved offers” • “To conclude no later than at the end of this first round of progressive liberalization”
CTS Decision S/L/24 (2) • Suspends Article II (MFN treatment) and Annex on Article II until the conclusion of the negotiations except for the commitments maintained • Foresees the review by the CTS, “during the course of the negotiations [of] the effects of the continued suspension of Article II” • Allows Members to “improve, modify or withdraw all or part of [their] specific commitments during a period of sixty days [preceding] the end of the negotiations” and to “finalize their positions relative to MFN exemptions during the same period” • Foresees a standstill
GATS Commitments: Accessions • 15 acceding Members out of 22 (1995-2004) have taken commitments in maritime transport: Albania, Cambodia*, China*, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Jordan*, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Oman*, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Slovenia * Maritime Model Schedule format
Section III What it may achieve in the future