18/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - Updating port services policy. Speaking at a conference on accessibility in remote regions, organised on Friday 15 April by the CPMR (Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions), the secretary general of the European Shipbuilding Association (ECSA), Alfons Guinier, said that the EU port services policy needed to be updated, particularly the piloting that may be forced on ships for security purposes, towage and cargo handling. Focusing on piloting, Guinier said it needed to be “relevant and appropriate” because some ports are over-keen on forcing such services on docking ships. The European Commission says that it would like to ensure that major European ports guarantee minimum service requirement. (A.By./transl.fl)