This package will include measures to ensure competition in port services
The European Commission (EC) has announced a new initiative intended to regulate port services, following on from its two previous failed attempts (the first port package failed to pass through the legislative procedure in 2003, and the second port package was again rejected in 2006).
The Commission’s intention has already been touched upon in the white paper on Transport, published in March 2011, and now EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas has confirmed the Commission’s plans for new legislation applicable to ports. Speaking at an event in Rotterdam on 8 September, Kallas revealed the Commission’s intention to come forward with a package of corresponding proposals in 2013.
According to Kallas, this third port package will include measures to ensure competition in port services to streamline administrative procedures. The package will also to improve the transparency of port financing in order to avoid any distortions of competition.
As a next step, Kallas announced that a conference on the future of European ports will take place in 2012. Following this, the Commission will launch a broad public consultation and carry out an in-depth impact assessment before setting out its proposals in 2013.
Source : INTERTANKO