Brussels, 08/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - European transport ministers would be happy to see the Blue Belt pilot project, which seeks to create a maritime transport area with simplified customs rules, extended. That is what came out of the debate on the issue in the Transport Council in Luxembourg on Thursday 7 June (see EUROPE 10629). A short discussion was also held on the responsibilities of flag states and port states in enforcing the Marine Labour Convention. Under any other business, the Council was informed by the Commission of the forthcoming meeting of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) which is due to discuss the opposition by non-EU countries to application of the European emissions trading scheme (ETS) to aviation. The Commission also took stock with the Council of the European electronic toll service, and the conference on piracy held in Brussels in March.
Blue Belt. European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas told delegations that, in maritime transport, “the EU's internal market has not yet been completed. So far, the situation has been that, once a vessel leaves an EU port, it was impossible to determine where it went, what it did, what ports were visited and whether the cargo carried came from the EU”. It was in this context that the Blue Belt pilot project was set up. SafeSeaNet, a Community system for exchanging information for customs authorities, made it possible to track vessels and simplify control procedures. The programme having ended last year, the Danish Presidency of the Council of Ministers wanted to sound out the member states on how successful the initiative had been. Most ministers would be in favour of continuing the Blue Belt project, with wide support for integration of its services into a permanent legal framework. The Commission would have to first provide a more detailed analysis of costs, in the view of a number of delegations, including those of Belgium, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Romania. Several countries, Finland, Greece, Estonia, Poland and Ireland in particular, were also keen on the idea of a single window service that would allow all necessary documentation to be submitted to a single contact point. Others, however, expressed reservations, taking the view that it was too early to decide on a single window service and that it would be better to build up greater experience first (France, Malta).
Maritime Labour Convention. Remaining with matters maritime, delegations debated two proposals for a regulation defining the responsibilities of flag states and of port states in enforcing the Maritime Labour Convention, which was adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2006. It would appear, on first sight, that the member states welcome the proposals, fortunately as the directives are due to come into force in 2013, so swift progress through Council and Parliament is needed, Kallas noted. He stressed how important this legislation is to ensure a level playing field for players in the sector and seafarers. France regretted that the Commission proposals do not go as far as that of the ILO. Greece and Cyprus asked that it be possible to increase inspections on vessels flying the flags of states which have not ratified all the conventions. Greece said account had to be taken of the danger they present. Malta would like the smallest boats to be exempted from the convention.
ETS. The member states called on the Commission to provide them with more information on the parlous state of affairs that has resulted from the opposition of non-EU countries to application of the ETS to aviation. Member states still fear reprisals. The Commission has not given up hope that the next ICAO meeting, in Montreal later this month will bring substantial progress. The Commission, which would like to see a comprehensive agreement with the ICAO, reminded delegations that the EU had to be seen to be united and also willing and able to adapt its system if a worldwide solution can be found.
Electronic toll service. Delays have built up on a European electronic toll service (one single device in lorries to enable electronic payment of all road tolls throughout Europe). The Commission regrets that the work done has not been able to meet the deadline set for October of this year. To speed matters up, it suggests giving more guidance, developing less costly test procedures, sharing information and using the trans-European transport network to support implementation.
Piracy. Following on from the conference held on piracy, especially the resurgence of piracy in the Horn of Africa, the Commission stressed that action was needed not only on the sea but also on land, to tackle the real causes of this scourge (lack of legislation and capacity). (MD/transl.rt)