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3 rd BRUSSELS SEMINAR JUNE 11/12 2008. “THE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY” A review of ECASBA activity over the past year JONATHAN C. WILLIAMS FICS GENERAL MANAGER. Main Developments. Communications on: Logistics (including CEMSWB and Motorways of the Sea) Maritime Policy NAIADES Project
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3rd BRUSSELS SEMINAR JUNE 11/12 2008
“THE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY” A review of ECASBA activity over the past year JONATHAN C. WILLIAMS FICS GENERAL MANAGER
Main Developments • Communications on: • Logistics (including CEMSWB and Motorways of the Sea) • Maritime Policy • NAIADES Project • Port Policy • Reorganisations in DG-FISH and DG-TREN
Logistics Policy • Communication & Action Plan • CEMSWB • MofS
Communication & Action Plan • E-Freight & Intelligent Transport Systems • Sustainable Quality & Efficiency • Simplification of Transport Chains • Vehicle Dimensions & Loading Weights • Green Transport Corridors for Freight • Urban Freight Transport Logistics
CEMSWB • Objective: To allow intra-European maritime transport the same freedom from administrative compliance as road and rail • The Issues: • Resistance from certain national administrations • Lack of harmonisation on documentary requirements • Inability of the Commission to force change
Motorways of the Sea • WHAT ARE THEY ???!!! • Why is it a separate issue from short sea shipping ? • What will it achieve that SSS cannot ? • Diversion of resources from SSS
Maritime Policy • Wide ranging and ambitious project • ECASBA involvement since the beginning • Action Plan later this year • No formal ECASBA position until Action Plan priorities identified • Reorganisation of DG-FISH into DG-MARE, regional approach
NAIADES Project • Little tangible progress • Bias towards northern European countries, nothing for Hungary or Romania • Little action on fleet renewal or infrastructure development • Access to appropriate funding, Funding Handbook later this year
Port Policy/1 • Acknowledgement of efficiency of European port industry • Use of soft law where possible/appropriate, allowing industry to make major decisions • Guidelines on State Aid – at last ! • Apparent bias towards northern European container ports
Port Policy/2 • Reorganisation of DG-TREN • Trestour to Unit B (Inland Waterways, MofS and Marco Polo) • Dimitrios Theologitis now has port policy portfolio • Possible concentration on security and the MarNIS project
100% Scanning/“10+2” • Major global trade concerns well known and shared by all • ECASBA contribution to TAXUD paper to US authorities • Political aspects • “10 + 2” – a better alternative ?