Brussels, 18/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - As expected, the European Commission on Thursday 18 October, adopted, a “logistics” package, which aims to implement a more efficient freight transport system (maritime, rail and road) (see EUROPE 9525 and 9524 for details of different texts). Taking into account the distrust of the European Parliament and some member states about the liberalisation of certain services, the Commission is presenting a “tool box” for simplifying, modernising and harmonising logistics in the European Union.
Presenting the European Commission initiatives, Jacques Barrot, Commission vice president, and responsible for transport, declared, “we have omitted talking about logistics for too long”. Barrot said that the initiatives should help, “organise our freight transport…according to an efficient system”. The Commissioner said this would require a logistical chain of continuity necessary for managing Europe into “paths” and implementing, “innovative technologies and modern practices” and simplifying the administrative procedures.
“Freight” priority rail network. The communication on this theme aims to improve the competitiveness in rail freight by ensuring shorter transit times and strengthening reliability and responsiveness to customer needs. Each trans-national path should have a management structure and link several member states in reduced time for freight transport journeys. Managers for these paths will consist of representatives from departments of transport, local and regional authorities and infrastrucure management bodies making up the path in question. Following a project feasibility project, Barrot will present a legislative proposal on this dossier at the end of 2008. The central coordintaiton body will not prevent free competition between the different operators using the path, explained Barrot. He also underlined the importance of harmonising the length of trains.
European port policy. After last March's rejection by the EP, the proposal aims to liberalise port services (EUROPE 9148), the Commission communication “is re-centring work on investment and quality of services”, explained the Commissioner. He then affirmed that the Commission would present rules on public funding for ports in 2008 (EUROPE 9525). On quality of services, the Commissioner only commented that “pools” (the body in charge of recruiting and training port workers), “should not be used in an abusive way”. Barrot said that the Commission did not want to settle this problem with a directive. This is why the communication is only pointing out the main guidelines applying to the port authorities.
European maritime space without barriers. The Commission work document on services on “a European area without barriers” marks the launch of a consultation process on the idea of short distance maritime transport fully benefiting from internal market rules. The common maritime area will provide Euripi boats in the EU with greater simplification or suppression of customs and administrative procedures, explained Barrot. He pointed out that these procedures varied between member states and between ports and that they pertained to international law. This simplification is expected to be done with the use of new communication technology. Draft legislation on this them is announced for 2008.
Motorways of the sea. The commission published a work document on motorways of the sea, which describes the meagre progress achieved in developing these “high quality” maritime links. These could become in the long term, a real alternative to land routes. Consultation on this subject has been launched and will last till 20 December this year.
Freight transport logistics. The Commission is presenting a series of actions to promote freight traffic management, as well as the simplification of administrative procedures and revision of loading standards. The Commission documents explained that the Commission is not ruling out revision of the 1996 directive on dimensions and vehicle weight (“while keeping the spirit of the consequences for other modes of transport”). (A.BY.)