09/11/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 9 November, the European Commission approved a Swedish measure to encourage the shift of freight traffic from road to waterways. This measure valued at €15 million, which will be in force until 31 December 2020 and will provide direct aid to shipowners, will support the establishment of new maritime and inland waterway routes and the upgrade of existing routes. Stockholm, through this model, will support up to 30% of the operational costs for shipping services or, alternatively, 10% of investment costs for trans-shipment equipment. Noting that the measure would help reduce CO2 and air pollutants emissions without distorting competition in the Single Market, the Commission concluded that it was compatible with EU State aid rules, in particular the Commission's Guidelines on State aid to maritime transport. (LT)