Brussels, 10/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament and Council have agreed to promote inland navigation by activating the €35 million laying dormant in the fund for inland navigation. An agreement was reached on Friday 7 March to update the regulation on the capacity of the Community fleet to this effect.
The agreement provides for the use of the reserve fund for inland navigation to be extended to adapting engines, in order to make this mode of transport more innovative and environmentally friendly. Previously, this fund, which was fed into by the national inland navigation industries, was earmarked solely for social issues and safety in the working environment. The agreement also encourages the reserve fund to be used in combination with other funds, such as the Connecting Europe Facility, Horizon 2020 and funds from the European Investment Bank. Provisions of the revised regulation also encourage owners and operators of vessels to join commercial associations, to allow them to mobilise at European level. The sector is currently highly fragmented within the EU. Other provisions will allow these owner-operators to benefit from training if they leave the sector. Previously, this was possible only for employees.
The revision of this regulation on the Community fleet is part of the second Naïades programme presented by the European Commission this autumn and aiming to develop inland navigation. The informal agreement is expected to be confirmed by the European Parliament at the April plenary, and then by the Council. (MD)