European Maritime Transport Strategy Perspective of European seaports Patrick Verhoeven ECASBA Seminar – Hotel Silken Berlaymont, Brussels 6–7 May 2009

Summary 1.General context 2.EU policy priorities seaports 3.Way forward

1. General context Laid-up ships in Singapore

PortJan-Mar 2008Jan-Mar 2009% Rotterdam Antwerp Le Havre Barcelona Genoa Marseilles Helsinki * Koper ** Evolution container traffic in 000 tons Source: port authority websites * all unitised cargo ** 000 TEU

Trade reacts very strongly to economic cycle Illustration Rotterdam /11 Current crisis

Medium term future: three scenarios But for the long run, solid traffic growth is expected

Basic challenges remain unchanged Integration in logistics chains: –Ports are key elements in value-driven logistics chains –This offers substantial network possibilities but also poses numerous coordination problems Strategies of market players: –Powerful and footloose actors control freight from origin to destination –Global groups invest and operate terminals in several ports worldwide –These actors and groups have strong bargaining power Sustainable development of ports: –Ports development calls for continuous investment in port facilities and connections –This creates ecological and societal pressures

2. EU policy priorities seaports 2009 EC Maritime Transport Strategy Communication Priorities for ports: 2007 EC Ports Policy Communication Six areas of work: –Performance and hinterland connections –Capacity and environment –Modernisation –Level playing field –Port-city dialogue –Work in ports

Performance and hinterland connections TEN-T review: –Green Paper consultation until 30/04/09 –Core network / comprehensive network –Identification conceptual pillar core network –Sustainability principal objective (climate) –Financing –ESPO conference Marseilles 14-15/05/09

Category A seaports under current TEN-T guidelines Source: European Commission 2005

Logistics core regions and multi-port gateways – Source: Notteboom 2008

Capacity and environment EC guidelines on application environmental legislation in ports: –Expected to be finalised by summer –Focus on Birds, Habitats & WFD Directives –Exercise has not yielded expected results yet –Practical “checklist” proposed by ESPO & EuDA Climate change: –Implementation World Port Climate Initiative projects (shore power and environmental shipping index) –IMO / EU developments Maritime spatial planning

Source: Kathleen Bailey, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Modernisation European Maritime Transport Space without Barriers: –Short-term measures EU level –Medium-term measures EU level –Recommendations Member States Legislative proposal on reporting formalities for ships sailing between EU ports E-maritime programme Performance indicators

Level playing field State aid guidelines: –Eternal (?) dilemma within the Commission between “traditional” and “radical” interpretation –ESPO believes public investment in maritime and land access infrastructure to ports as well as in “general” infrastructure within ports does not constitute State aid –Economic slowdown emphasises need for public investments Port concessions: –ESPO supports basic rules laid down in EC Ports Policy Communication (“transparency obligation”) –Preparation ESPO Code of Practice and policy paper –Horizontal legislative initiative DG MARKT pending

City-port dialogue ESPO Award on Societal Integration of Ports: –Raise awareness among port authorities –Reward innovative and creative projects that bring ports closer to society ESPO supports project “People around Ports”: –Port image –City-port development –Work and education ESPO AWARD Call for proposals runs until 15 June 2009 Info:

Work in ports European Sectoral Dialogue Committee for Ports Social partners prepare mutual agreements (ETF & IDC, FEPORT & ESPO) Initial focus on qualifications, training, health & safety

Short-term EU ports policy agenda ChapterConcrete proposalsTiming 1. Port performance and hinterland connections TEN-T review (hinterland connections to ports) Expanding capacity while respecting the environment Guidance on application EU environmental legislation Modernisation- Transport Space without Barriers - Performance indicators beyond A level playing field – clarity for investors, operators and users, - State aid guidelines - Concessions (+ ESPO code of good practice) 2009 ongoing 5. Establishing a structured dialogue between ports and cities - European Maritime Day - Support for research projects etc - ESPO award annually ongoing Work in portsSocial dialogue2009 (?)

3. Way forward Socio-economic developments emphasise need for a stable and supportive policy framework Protectionist reflexes should be avoided EU Maritime Transport Strategy fulfils these objectives and is a good basis for the future Implementation ports’ chapter progresses but in some fields slower than expected Immediate priorities: –Integration of ports in TEN-T –State aid guidelines –Environmental guidelines –Common Maritime Transport Space

Thank you for your attention Patrick Verhoeven - Secretary General European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Treurenberg 6 – B-1000 Brussel / Bruxelles - Tel – Fax –