Brussels, 19/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Monday in the framework of the "European Shipping - a Key Vehicle for European Trade", organised by the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA), Commissioner Loyola de Palacio, accompanied by the Greek Minister for the merchant navy, George Anomeritis, presented her priorities for maritime transport: security and competitiveness.
While acknowledging the capacity of the European fleet, which represents 1/3 of all ships in the world and the fact that 90% of external EU trade was by sea, Loyola de Palacio pointed out (in the wake of the Prestige disaster), the need to adopt proposals that have recently been submitted by the Commission and which aimed to speed up the phasing out of single hull tankers and ban them from transporting heavy fuel oils (see EUROPE 20-21 December p 11). The Commissioner did, however, say that she was prepared to find a solution for the small oil tankers (the ban applies to single hull tankers with a capacity of 600-5000 tons for transporting heavy fuel oils would create difficulties in some Member States: see EUROPE 11 February p 13).
Security and the fight against terrorism constitute another priority, especially since 11 September. In this connection, Ms de Palacio regretted unilateral measures such as the Container Security Initiative taken by the USA (an agreement between the US and some European ports to inspect containers together), whilst pointing out that she wanted to promote a bilateral agreement between the EU and USA, together with the Commissioner of the Internal Market Frits Bolkestein (see EUROPE 24 January p 9).
Eager to enhance competitiveness in the sector Ms de Palacio announced her intention of "consolidating and giving a new impetus to the 1997 Community guidelines on State Aid in the maritime sector" and called the pa Transport Committee , which voted on the Council's common position last Tuesday on the draft directive on access to port services (see EUROPE 18 June), "to vote for progress".