EU port policy An example of unique EU policy making

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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 - …

6. III. The Port Package saga – example of unique EU policy making

7. 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

8. 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

9. Port services: cargo-handling

10. Towage, mooring and pilotage

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Overview of the consultation process

17. Themes

18. 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)

19. 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

20. Thank you for your attention For more questions/information:lieselot.marinus@espo.be or www.espo.be