Brussels, 20/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 21 January, the European Commission is expected to adopt a whole series of legislative and incentive measures aimed at establishing a barrier-free maritime area. The logic behind the proposal is simple. It is to ensure maritime transport has its rightful place in the transport sector in so far as it is the least polluting form of transport, and to simplify the administrative charges imposed on maritime transport companies. Far from the expectations of DG TREN, the proposal will not, however, comprise the setting in place of a one-stop shop or the separation of controls on intra- and extra-Community freight transport. Other legislative proposals simplifying customs procedures and guidelines in order to speed up phytosanitary and veterinary inspections in European ports are due to be published during the course of this year.
The package to be presented by the Commission will comprise a communication analysing the challenges facing the maritime sector and giving member states recommendations for reducing administrative charges imposed on shipping companies. There will also be a communication on the strategy in the sector for the years 2009-2018, an assessment of strategic options for the European maritime sector for 2018 and a draft directive intended to simplify administrative formalities arising from Community rules. Foreseen for autumn 2008, the action plan on the barrier-free maritime area was to extend the rules of the internal market to maritime transport, mainly by simplifying customs regulations and administrative formalities imposed on shipping companies (see EUROPE 9526). Unlike legislation for overland transport, maritime legislation stipulates that a vessel leaves the territory of a member state as soon as it crosses the 12 mile (22 km) territorial waters limit. In intra-Community maritime transport this implies that administrative formalities should be met at departure from and arrival at a European port, as for the international freight trade. Furthermore, unlike requests made by a number of maritime organisations, such as ECSA (European Community Seamen's Association), the current customs system makes no distinction between freight cargo from the EU and freight loaded along the same route during stops in foreign ports. As a result, and contrary to what is foreseen in road haulage, freight loaded and inspected in an EU port is subject to a second control upon arrival in the port of destination, hence the need to simplify procedures. Refused by Laszlo Kovacs (taxation and customs), this simplification of customs procedures will not be covered by the present communication. The Commission's draft directive can at this stage be summarised as rationalising shipping declaration formalities (information on the vessel, onboard provisions, crew and passengers) at the entry and exit of European ports as well as a plan of action that would encourage member states to review and simplify practices implemented in various fields, but often coming under the responsibility of local authorities. This may concern the choice of language used upon entry into ports (formalities are often only carried out in the language of the port country, while international conventions designate English as an alternative for maritime transport). Also concerned are pilotage rules (compulsory in some ports while, in others, the presence of a pilot on board ship during port entry manoeuvres is optional), or rules on priority (some major ports grant too low a priority to small vessels when it comes to access to quays or port services).
The simplification of formalities for Community maritime routes which include a stopover in the port of a neighbouring country, the recommendations made to member states to coordinate inspections carried out by the different administrative services in the ports, or the granting of pilotage exemption certificates (PEC) to experienced captains are due to be presented at a later date. Administrative formalities carried out by the companies, the commander on board and his second in charge, as well as by the agents of the maritime company will be made less burdensome, but other measures will still be required for completing the setting up of the maritime area. Thus, the Commission plans to publish implementation measures during this year to simplify customs procedures as well as guidelines aimed at speeding up implementation in ports of phytosanitary and veterinary inspections and inspections on live animals. Measures may take effect at intervals between 2010 and 2013.
On Wednesday, the Commission should also adopt a communication on maritime shipping strategy by 2018, which will make short and medium-term proposals for making maritime transport more competitive, more environmentally friendly and safer. This strategy should concern six key areas: - globalisation prospects, care of human resources, the quality of navigation in Europe, the international system, short haul maritime transport and logistics, as well as research and development. (A.By./transl.jl)