transparency of ports”
24 the following statement is of importance for the discussion
to follow:
The full integration of ports in seamless transport and logistics chains is needed to contribute
to growth and a more efficient use and functioning of the trans-European transport network
and the internal market. This requires modern port services that contribute to the efficient use
of ports and a climate favourable to investments to develop ports in line with current and
future transport and logistics requirements.
25
It is in many ways obvious that the EU Commission is aware of the difficulties to
maintain unrestricted competition in the European ports as the member states depend
heavily on the ports for import and export of goods. Even so, the Commission
stresses the need for transparency regarding port services and fees.
4 Incentives Regarding Port Developments
4.1 Sea Side Incentives
In the UNCTAD Maritime Review for 2018
26 it is stated that global seaborne trade is
doing well. It is understood that this is supported by an upswing in the world
economy during 2017. It may be considered to be the fastest growth in the last
5 years, expanding by 4%. Global containerized trade went up another 6.4%.
Prospects for seaborne trade are, according to UNCTAD, positive with a prospect
for 2018, a projected growth of another 4%.
With an expected growth in shipping and trade of this size, there will follow an
increase in the amount of traffic to and from the ports. The big question is how this
increase regarding both shipping and land side transports, is to be handled. Looking
at the solutions found in other parts of the world, the problem is the same. Increased
traffic, whether on land or at sea, increases environmental problems. The way to
handle it is different, based on the examples of countries like the United States and
Australia which have relatively easier ways to support shippers and haulers, to
change their behaviour patterns, compared with countries tied to the rules engendered by the European Union regarding free movement of goods, services and
labour. Any form of discrimination or favours given to certain actors are strictly
banned.
24 REGULATION (EU) 2017/352 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 15 February 2017 establishing a framework for the provision of port services and common
rules on the financial transparency of ports, Official Journal of the European Union, L
57, 3 March 2017.
25 Preamble Point 1, Official Journal of the European Union L 57/1.
26 The report is set as 2018 but reflects the findings from 2017. See https://unctad.org/en/
PublicationsLibrary/rmt2018_en.pdf. Downloaded 2019-02-09.
444
L.-G. Malmberg
24 the following statement is of importance for the discussion
to follow:
The full integration of ports in seamless transport and logistics chains is needed to contribute
to growth and a more efficient use and functioning of the trans-European transport network
and the internal market. This requires modern port services that contribute to the efficient use
of ports and a climate favourable to investments to develop ports in line with current and
future transport and logistics requirements.
25
It is in many ways obvious that the EU Commission is aware of the difficulties to
maintain unrestricted competition in the European ports as the member states depend
heavily on the ports for import and export of goods. Even so, the Commission
stresses the need for transparency regarding port services and fees.
4 Incentives Regarding Port Developments
4.1 Sea Side Incentives
In the UNCTAD Maritime Review for 2018
26 it is stated that global seaborne trade is
doing well. It is understood that this is supported by an upswing in the world
economy during 2017. It may be considered to be the fastest growth in the last
5 years, expanding by 4%. Global containerized trade went up another 6.4%.
Prospects for seaborne trade are, according to UNCTAD, positive with a prospect
for 2018, a projected growth of another 4%.
With an expected growth in shipping and trade of this size, there will follow an
increase in the amount of traffic to and from the ports. The big question is how this
increase regarding both shipping and land side transports, is to be handled. Looking
at the solutions found in other parts of the world, the problem is the same. Increased
traffic, whether on land or at sea, increases environmental problems. The way to
handle it is different, based on the examples of countries like the United States and
Australia which have relatively easier ways to support shippers and haulers, to
change their behaviour patterns, compared with countries tied to the rules engendered by the European Union regarding free movement of goods, services and
labour. Any form of discrimination or favours given to certain actors are strictly
banned.
24 REGULATION (EU) 2017/352 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 15 February 2017 establishing a framework for the provision of port services and common
rules on the financial transparency of ports, Official Journal of the European Union, L
57, 3 March 2017.
25 Preamble Point 1, Official Journal of the European Union L 57/1.
26 The report is set as 2018 but reflects the findings from 2017. See https://unctad.org/en/
PublicationsLibrary/rmt2018_en.pdf. Downloaded 2019-02-09.
444
L.-G. Malmberg