ROMANIAN INTERMODAL ASSOCIATION – R.I.A.- Role of the Promotion Centres in Intermodal and ShortSea Shipping Transports Connecting through intermodality!

European Framework The White Paper for Transport (2001)- "European transport policy” - establishes the Programme for Short Sea Shipping promotion; - basis for Memorandum of Understanding between member states; - support for Terms of Reference for each Shortsea Promotion Center. Mid-term review of the 2001 Transport White Paper- "Keep Europe Moving“ - sets up the basis for promoting the Intermodal transport in Europe in terms of quality, competence, training, sustainability, reliability, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Intermodal transport Transport policy goals are changing. Today, development of intermodality (co-modality), which means the efficient use of transport modes operating on their own or in multimodal integration, has become (together with logistics point of view) very important transport sector development trend.

Intermodal transport -2 Intermodal logistics concentrates on the transport part of the whole supply chain (i.e. on transport logistics) in favour of intermodal solutions and covers the planning, organisation, management, control and execution (implementation) of intermodal freight transport door to door. Promotion of intermodality is one of important trend of European transport policy. European Intermodal Promotion Centre (IPC) network will be a platform that brings together main actors in the transport and logistics field. An IPC is a new framework of co-operation among different transport actors (on regional and national level) to improve knowledge, management and information system for intermodal transport, as well as to prepare and to support an effective intermodal transport solutions

The basic aims of an Intermodal Promotion Centre (IPC) increase awareness of intermodal transport among shippers and forwarding agents and logistic providers; provide shippers with information on the many and varied possibilities of intermodal transport, especially with regard to intermodal door-to-door transport; analyze the problems which might affect intermodal transport; set up and maintain a database on intermodal transport services; be a source of objectives freight and transport information for trade, industry, as well as for municipalities governmental institutions. to organise round table discussions, seminars and conferences on topic development and promotion of intermodality; to disseminate information on intermodal transport developments and innovations to promote co-operation between intermodal transport hubs and logistic centres both at national and at transnational level.

The basic conditions for a good working IPC (according to EC Strategy regarding IPC) Guarantees neutrality of information; Financial independence; financing by stakeholders in intermodal transport, supported by the regional or national administration; Independence and neutral location (not one operator based).

Shortsea Promotion Centers in Europe -1 ………… “Short Sea Shipping means the movement of cargo and passengers by sea between ports situated in geographical Europe or between those ports and ports situated in non­-European countries having a coastline on the enclosed seas bordering Europe. Short sea shipping includes domestic and international maritime transport, including feeder services, along the coast and to and from the islands, rivers and lakes. The concept of short sea shipping also extends to maritime transport between the Member States of the Union and Norway and Iceland and other States on the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.” …………………. source: European Shortsea Network

Shortsea Promotion Centers in Europe -2 In 1997 the first national shortsea information bureau was founded in the Netherlands. Soon after this, the Flanders region set up a shortsea bureau – 21 members united under the umbrella of European Shortsea Network ESN- a platform to exchange information and not a formal organisation with an office and staff, which links the national SPCs to facilitate collaborations and the exchange of experience. - The main objective of the European Shortsea Network (ESN) is to promote shortsea in the broadest sense of the word on a European level - The Commission has also financed and supported the launch of the European Shortsea Network (ESN),

Shortsea Promotion Centers in Europe -3 SPC - Belgium

Shortsea Promotion Centers in Europe - 4 Independent of individual regions or ports, the SPCs act in the interests of all cargo-movers – whether owners, shippers or operators. Funded by both public and private sectors, all share the mission of demonstrating that sea transport is reliable, safe, cost-effective and technically advanced. Aim to convince cargo owners forwarders, operators and other industries of the advantage of Shortsea shipping, rise of public awareness of the potential of SSS through: dissemination of information, presentations, conferences, seminars, studies, creation of database, training, websites The promotion is aimed at the following target groups: Shippers and forwarders Logistics/transport service providers, including road hauliers Shortsea shipping lines, ship owners and agents, ports EU bodies and national governments European organisations Inland shipping and rail

WHAT IS R.I.A. ? The ROMANIAN INTERMODAL ASSOCIATION (R.I.A.) was founded in december 2006, upon an initiative of the Romanian Ministry of Transports, Constructions and Tourism together with public authorities and private companies acting in the field of transports. The center is a professional non- profit entity addressing to all interested parties in promoting and developing the field of intermodal transports and its auxiliary activities.

MEMBERS The National Company Maritime Ports Adminstration, Constanta The National Company Administration of Navigable Canals, Constanta The Romanian Association of Inland Owners and Ports Operators, Galati Romanian Naval Authority, Constanta Romanian Maritime Training Center,Constanta Navlomar Maritime, Constanta Focus Group Romania, Bucharest Nord Marine Shipping, Constanta Mainromline SRL Bucharest The Administration of Free Zones - Giurgiu

2007 Activities Setting up the office; distribution of RIA brochures, meetings with the Romanian MoT, meetings with intermodal operators; Attracting members (10, at the present moment); Establishing contacts within EU promotion centers network (EIA, INE, Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Bulgaria); Starting a web-page; Involvement in EU funded projects; –DACIA = DAnube Corridor of Intermodal Afreightment - One EU grant for a promotion project –PLATINA = Platform for the Implementation of NAIADES (promotion of inland navigation– financed under FP 7 program); –EWITA II = European Webplatforms and Training Concepts for Intermodal Inland Waterway TrAnsport (training modules – financed under Marco Polo II) –RISING = RIS Services for Improving the Integration of Inland Waterway Transports into Intermodal Chains (RIS as unique platform for all actors – FP 7) Developing national funded projects (feasibility study for marina port in Tulcea, partner with CERONAV in the project: “Safety in the intermodal transports through continuous learning”); Organising the national seminar on the “Logistics of intermodal transports –challenges, problems and solutions”, 12 decembrie 2007

Bottlenecks in RIA activity - Lack of involvement from the industry: - Lack of necessary funds to support the co-financing of the projects: - Reluctance to initiative; - Lack of governmental support - No cooperation between all parties involved in transport chain Therefore are lost : The opportunity of being in close contact with transport and shipping industry across Europe and Worldwide The opportunity to promote their services The opportunity to beneficiate of the EU financing programs The opportunity to become a voice and so forth…..

Constanta Port, Gate 2 Building “Bursa Noua” Floor 1, Room 125, Constanta, , Romania Tel: , Fax: Thank you for attention! Created by Nicoleta Apostol – PR&Communication Constanta Port, Gate 2 Building “Bursa Noua” Floor 1, Room 125, Constanta, , Romania Tel: , Fax: Thank you for attention! Created by Nicoleta Apostol – PR&Communication