EMEA News
EU Council Approves New Rules on Port Services, Including Bunkering
The Council of the European Union (EU) Monday announced that it has adopted new rules to define "fair conditions" for EU ports wishing to apply minimum requirements for various services, including bunkering and ship-generated waste.
"The regulation does not impose a specific management model for ports. However, it does lay down conditions if they wish to set minimum requirements for services such as towage, mooring, bunkering and the collection of ship-generated waste, or to restrict the number of providers of these services," EP previously explained.
"For example, ports could limit the number of service providers in order to ensure safety, security and environmental sustainability."
However, EP notes the regulation will also "make it easier for new providers of certain port services to enter the market.
"It will create a more level playing field and reduce legal uncertainties for ports, port service providers and investors."
The European Commission (EC) says that there is currently a lack of clear rules on public funding of port infrastructure and port fees, which is dampening investment.
The new rules, which have also received the support of the Members of European Parliament (MEPs), are said to be intended to make EU ports more efficient and attractive to investors.
"After 15 years of discussion about European ports policy, we have finally found an agreement: existing port management models can be maintained and, for the first time, there is an emphasis on good working conditions, which are a major part of the competitiveness of ports and are non-negotiable for us"," said Germany's Knut Fleckenstein, of S&D in the European Parliament in December.
"Financial transparency is at the core of the agreement, which should facilitate the work of the Commission on a coherent state aid regime and trigger investments into ports."
To ensure the delivery of high quality services, the new rules include requirements for port service providers to ensure that employees receive appropriate training, placing particular emphasis on health and safety.
The rules, which would affect over 300 EU seaports in the trans-European transport network, still require approval by the Council of the EU.
