Members of the European Parliament's Transport Committee welcomed, during a relatively short debate on Monday 5 November, Deirdre Clune's (EPP, Ireland) draft report on the establishment of a European one-stop shop system for shipping.
This draft report echoes the European Commission's proposal of 17 May last, as part of the third ‘mobility’ package (see EUROPE 12022). It aims to establish a harmonised list and interface for the elements required on entering or leaving a port, without however all the formalities being the same in each Member State.
The draft report is broadly in line with the Commission's proposal, with Ms Clune emphasising the need to harmonise the "different data elements" to be provided. This was also reiterated during the debate, which was welcomed by Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France), chair of the Parliament's Transport Committee, who stressed in particular the need for coordination with the work of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
If Ms Clune accepts that a State may introduce a reporting obligation, she hopes that, unless there are "exceptional circumstances", these changes will be subject to the Commission's agreement, which would have a period of 60 days to notify it. In her view, it would be a question of finding "a fair balance" to limit the addition of administrative burdens.
Ms Clune also suggested the establishment of a clear governance system for the national windows to ensure their proper functioning.
Lucy Anderson (S&D, UK), Gesine Meissner (ALDE, Germany) and Mrs Delli also welcomed the work done so far with the rapporteur, whose draft text was welcomed by the Commission.
All stressed the importance of creating this one-stop-shop system and it would seem that discussions between the rapporteur and the shadow rapporteurs should not pose any major difficulties.
Work continues in the Council
Discussions are continuing in the EU Council's 'shipping' working party, with a meeting scheduled for Tuesday 6 November on a new draft compromise, following discussions on a first text (see EUROPE 12103). (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)