Transport Commissioner Bulc engages in dialogue with port stakeholders

Transport Commissioner Bulc engages in dialogue with port stakeholders

Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc met today with the leaders of the 20 largest European ports and the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO). The meeting was organised at the initiative of Commissioner Bulc to exchange views on the future of ports policy.

Commissioner Bulc stated "Ports are amongst Europe's major assets. They provide seamless logistics across maritime, rail, inland waterways and road transport. They develop into industrial poles contributing to growth, jobs and energy security. We must preserve and enhance these assets. We will continue our dialogue to improve port connectivity and facilitate investments and innovation."

The participants exchanged views on the global economic, geopolitical and technological challenges faced by the European ports and specific issues impacting their performance. Key topics included: possible solutions to improve rail connections, inland navigation and maritime connectivity along the corridors of the trans-European transport network, the framework conditions for spurring efficient investment and the role of ports and innovation in the logistics chains. Also, the contribution of ports to energy security and climate policy and the way ports interact with port cities to promote their global outreach, were discussed.

The discussion provided valuable input to the further development of European transport policy and to the next stage of the legislative procedure on the Ports Regulation. The participants stressed the strategic importance of ports for Europe and the necessity to better reflect the role ports play for industrial development, growth, logistics, innovation and energy. The dialogue will continue.

Background

In 2013, the Commission adopted a strategy for ports combining a proposal for a Ports Regulation and non-legislative measures aiming at improving port operations and connections. The proposal introduces transparency in the use of public funds and in the access to the market of port services. The Council adopted a general approach in October 2014 and the European Parliament is now examining it. The European Transport Policy is currently outlined in a White Paper adopted by the Commission in 2011.

For more information:

Ports

Ports: an engine for growth [COM/2013/0295]

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/maritime/ports/doc/2014-10-24-council-general-approach.pdf

White paper 2011: Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area - Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system