Stop Access To Ports 3

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Commission's approach to port services

For many years, the Commission has tried to develop a specific EU policy framework for sea ports. On two occasions in the past 10 years, the Commission unsuccessfully proposed secondary legislation implementing the EU Treaty rules on the freedom to provide services in the port sector.

Today, there is no EU legislation on the provision of port services. There is a patchwork of national regulations, with striking differences from one Member State to another. Exclusive rights in favour of particular operators and market entry obstacles still exist in the port sector.

The most recent Communication on Ports Policy, from 2007, is based on the promotion of soft law measures. Since then, the economic context has changed dramatically. The divide in performance between ports in different regions has continued to grow. While some ports in the EU have been engines of economic growth sustaining the recovery from the crisis, other ports are lagging behind.

The absence of a level playing field for ports and port services in Europe will accentuate the differences between ports. For several European regions, this would represent a lost opportunity of economic growth and jobs' generation. At EU level, it would affect the performance of trans-European networks and negatively affect the overall competitiveness of companies. There is scope for considering that an appropriate, better focused regulatory framework at EU level could ensure a more systematic implementation of the Treaty rules on access to the port services market.

The Transport White Paper adopted by the Commission in 2011 foresees establishing a Single European Transport Area. A framework for ports is part of those initiatives. It is related to the "Blue Belt" initiative (simplification of administrative requirements in ports) and also to the implementation of the Transport Trans-European Networks (TEN-T). The smart pricing and funding proposals of the White Paper are related to the financing of port infrastructures. The White Paper foresees a social agenda for maritime transport, including social dialogue and training of port workers in different fields of port activities.

The impact assessment on the revision of the EU framework for ports services has been launched in 2011 and will take until the end of 2012. It will involve extensive consultation with all concerned stakeholders and the conduct of various fact-finding studies. It will also rely on dialogue with the social partners in the sector. The Commission will draw conclusions and come with fine-tuned proposals in 2013.

Comments from UK Dockers

Morning Brothers, as the attacks on dockers start to spread across Europe and we await our turn. We should prepare now in our workplaces and union branches to be ready to send as many dockers as possible to Brussells or Strasbourg to again show our strength. 
Strength Together

although a few of us at Felixstowe can see this, most are blinkered, cos we work at a thriving, expanding port, and seem untouchable! A reality check is needed!!!

All ports from around the UK are blinkered.. We need to wake up and act before it's to late..
It's good to see that it is starting to be talked about at NISC and a higher level but I personally think we should be going to the national papers and up to a political level. 
The EU is screwing us BIG time and the public need to no about it and we need a national campaign to stop it happening...!