09/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - Shipowners unhappy wth EP text vote on port services. The European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) has said that the text on access to port services voted on Tuesday 8 March leaves a lot to be desired (see EUROPE 11507), particularly the part on the organisation of ports. In a press release, ECSA explains that it is “an empty box, with some of the most essential port services having been excluded”. Patrick Verhoeven, the secretary-general of the ECSA, said that the current situation has a direct impact on short distance maritime transport and that “shipowners still face restrictive practices and legal obstacles in many port service markets”. He also regretted that “Whilst the initial proposal of the Commission lacked in ambition, the text has now been weakened further and is even introducing additional restrictions”. (PH)