On Wednesday 9 July, the European Commission issued informal guidance on the compatibility with EU competition rules of a sustainability agreement for the joint purchasing and the setting of technical specifications for electric container-handling equipment used in ports.
This agreement aims to accelerate the shift from diesel to electric equipment in EU ports, contributing to reducing CO2 emissions.
This informal guidance letter is issued at the same time as another one regarding a licensing negotiation group in the automotive sector (see other news). These are the first guidance letters the Commission issued under the revised Notice on Informal Guidance of 2022. This Notice allows businesses to seek informal guidance from the Commission on the application of EU competition rules to novel or unresolved questions, helping them making an informed assessment of their agreements or unilateral practices.
APM Terminals, a port terminal operator and part of the Maersk Group, requested that the Commission provide informal guidance on an agreement with other port terminal operators for the joint purchasing and the joint setting of minimum technical specifications of battery-electric straddle and shuttle carriers.
At present, most straddle and shuttle carriers used in European ports are diesel-powered. Until now, operators have been reluctant to invest in electric models. The proposed agreement is therefore designed to reduce costs for port terminal operators. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)