Ports' services under spotlight

The European Commission is seeking feedback from stakeholders on the quality of EU port services through a business survey launched on 20 June.

Efficiency of the port system and transparency in port organisation are areas included in the survey of both sea and inland ports, which has been sent to port authorities, port service providers, shipping companies, cargo interests and port workers, with response encouraged by the European Sea Port Organisation (ESPO).

“We welcome the Commission’s initiative to consult stakeholders,” said ESPO secretary general Patrick Verhoeven.“Previous attempts to regulate European ports were criticised because they were not based on a fundamental analysis of the sector. Things are different now and we therefore actively encourage our members to contribute to this survey so that an accurate picture of the current situation will emerge.”

Following past difficulties in establishing a common ports policy, in 2007 the Commission produced communication guidance on applying the sector’s Treaty rules, which ESPO supports as a firm platform for the future. Verhoeven said: “In our recent manifesto on port management and policy, we emphasise the need to establish clear and proportional guidance. At the same time, we believe the Commission should carefully monitor implementation of this guidance and act where manifest breaches of Treaty rules occur.”

The business survey, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and NEA, runs to 24 August. Results will be discussed at a stakeholder conference the Commission expects to run in Brussels on 25-26 September. A further survey follows in October when policy options including those on concessions, financing and transparency, public service monopolies and dock labour, will be presented.

ESPO represents the interests of port authorities from 27 countries managing a total of more than 800 sea ports.