Brussels, 28/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 27 September, the TEN-T executive agency revealed funding plans in the maritime sector: the Adriatic and Baltic seas will receive European funds in the framework of the call for proposals under the agency's multi-annual working programme of 2010.
Baltic Sea hubs. An envelope of €25 million will be shared between the ports of Gothenburg (Sweden), Aarhus (Denmark) and Tallinn (Estonia) to create a smart network of ports in the Baltic Sea. The emphasis will be on effective and environmentally-friendly intermodal solutions in the region. In view of the economic growth of the area, there is a real need for a port hub to ensure good management of freight and passengers.
Adriatic Gateway. The second project is less logical, as it is a study which will be co-funded to the tune of €1 million. This study will focus on developing a multimodal and multi-port gateway, and will be completed by the end of next year. Italian ports and a Slovenian port will work together in this framework to eventually improve the interoperability of cargo and co-modality by linking ports to continental logistics platforms. The project's scope also includes promoting strategic links with the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
This funding will also help to make these zones more competitive and to increase the traffic of goods by sea. The two projects also respond to the Motorways of the Sea concept, which aims to better exploit the potential of maritime transport within the EU transport policy. (MD/transl.fl)