European Commission made some key announcements on the upgrade of 300 ports in the European Union, progressing the European Ports Policy one step forward.
“3.7 billion tonnes of cargo pass through Europe’s ports each year. They are a vital gateway to the rest of the world. But port operations are complex – goods have to be loaded and unloaded, a pilot has to guide the ship into and out of the port. A mooring has to be found. And customs formalities have to be observed. And after all that, goods need to make their onward journey by rail or road or inland waterway”.
With the aforementioned introduction by S. Kallas, the Vice-President of European Commisson, the European Commission has launched a new initiative to improve port operations and onward transport connections at 319 key seaports along Europe’s coastline. The guidelines and legal changes being proposed will help port operators upgrade their services and facilities as well as giving them more financial autonomy.
Read more on the EC initiative @ [Press Release] / [MEMO – Key Facts and Challenges Ahead]
[Full Speech by S. Kallas] / [The first reaction of the European Sea Port Organisation (ESPO)]
