At the end of March, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union sent Member States a first draft of the conclusions on the EU Ports Strategy presented on 4 March (see EUROPE 13820/1). This text seems to confirm certain guidelines, notably investment in port infrastructures, their connection with rail and river routes and maritime safety.
Investments. In this first draft, the EU Council welcomes “the intention to provide guidance on assessing foreign investment in EU ports”. A measure also advocated by MEP Jens Gieseke (EPP, German) (see EUROPE 13821/5).
The draft conclusions also highlight the principle of financial autonomy for ports. It reiterates the importance of port authorities financing their basic infrastructure (breakwaters, quays accessible to the public, road and rail access to the port area) from their own revenues. On this point, the EU Council invites the European Commission, on the occasion of the revision of the State aid framework, “to take these elements into account in order to provide legal certainty and support the economic viability and competitiveness of ports”.
In its draft conclusions, the Cyprus Presidency also suggests that the Commission adapt the revision of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) to the needs of ports.
Interconnection. The Cypriot text stresses the importance of integrating ports into the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), and calls for “prioritisation of rail and inland waterway connectivity”.
This request echoes the concerns of the World Shipping Council (WSC). One of its representatives told Agence Europe (see EUROPE 13820/1) that inland waterway freight transport still faces a number of obstacles within the EU.
Decarbonisation. The draft conclusions note as well “concerns regarding the potential impact of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) on competitiveness, in particular as regards the risk of traffic diversion”. The Commission is invited to monitor the situation “and, where appropriate, propose targeted corrective measures, while preserving environmental ambition and ensuring coherence with international frameworks”.
Maritime Security. The Cyprus Presidency also welcomes efforts to update maritime security frameworks and address emerging threats, calling for the “EU-wide implementation of relevant cybersecurity legislation and enhanced cooperation between the competent authorities”.
Lastly, it recommends strengthening the protection of port workers, against a backdrop of increasing risks and given the key role played by ports in military mobility.
To consult the document: https://aeur.eu/f/lij (Original version in French by Juliette Verdes)