WRITTEN QUESTION E-2839/98

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Future EU ports and maritime transport policy

In reply to Written Question E-3493/95(1) of 15 February 1995, the European Commission stated that it had set up a task force on future maritime systems seeking to bring together research and industry in the maritime industries sector, which covers shipbuilding, maritime transport and marine resources (fisheries, aquaculture, energy). Furthermore, the Commission stressed the prime importance assigned to the regional aspect of the maritime industry and pointed out its close links with the regions via the AMRIE (Alliance of Regional Maritime Interests in Europe) and the CRPM (Conference on the Community's Peripheral Maritime Regions). Likewise, the Commission's Green Paper on ports refers to continued financial support for maritime transport projects under the 5th framework programme on RTD.

1. Can the Commission say whether the said task force still exists, and if so give details of its composition, working methods, aims and relations with the aforementioned regional organisations?

2. Can it say what guidelines maritime transport projects will be required to follow in order to qualify for Community funding under the 5th framework programme on RTD?

3. Can it say to what extent it took account of the CRPM's position in drafting its Green Paper on ports, and whether it will do so in the future when formulating a port development policy for European maritime ranges?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 1998)

The Commission set up the task force "maritime systems of the future" in 1995. Its main goal is to ensure that research funding is closely focused on the needs of the sector. The task force is composed of Commission officials dealing with issues relevant to the maritime sector research programmes and is chaired by the Directorate general for industry.

The task force works closely with industry in identifying research and development (R& D) priorities for the sector and in participating in the preparation of the 5th framework programme. Thanks to the joint efforts of the task force and industry, a significant breakthrough for the maritime sector was achieved when marine technologies and transport became specific parts of key actions. The Alliance of maritime regional interests in Europe (AMRIE) participates as an observer in the work of the task force and it could be considered that the Conference de regions periferiques maritimes (CPRM), because of its privileged link with AMRIE and its frequent contacts with the Commission, is indirectly involved with it.

Access to Community financing for maritime transport projects within the 5th framework programme is ensured in particular through two key actions. "Land transport and marine technologies" aims at encouraging the development and integration of knowledge and technologies specific to sea and land transport based activities, and "sustainable mobility and intermodality" aims at ensuring the development of policy and operational options for an integrated, interoperable, European, waterborne, rail, air and road transport system, on a broadly intermodal basis, to ensure the mobility of people and goods.

The green paper for ports and maritime infrastructure(2) has taken into account, in many instances, both the specificity of peripheral regions in terms of port infrastructure development as well as the need to provide adequate accessibility to peripheral areas. This is specifically recognised in paragraph 17 by referring to one of the objectives of including ports in the TEN-T (Trans-European network - transport) which aims at "improving the accessibility of peripheral regions and strengthening the economic and social cohesion within the Community by enhancing the Community's internal maritime links, paying particular attention to island and peripheral regions".

Also in the field of the framework of port charges, it is recognised that a number of European ports are located in less developed and peripheral areas of the Community and they often constitute the only link to the rest of the Community, being centres of significant economic activity in their region. They are therefore important parameters in the Community's cohesion policies which will need to be respected if the cost based charging system is to be given a more systematic application.

It is expected that the next steps to be taken by the Commission when developing the follow-up of the green paper will have to take account of these considerations.

(1) OJ C 137, 8.5.1996, p. 15.

(2) COM(97) 678 final.