WRITTEN QUESTION P-3069/01 by Professor Sir Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Policy on container hub ports.
Date: 2001-10-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Scotland, State aid, container, crew, dredging, employment aid, environmental protection, harbour installation, maritime transport

C 147 E/88

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

(2002/C 147 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3068/01

by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(26 October 2001)

Subject: Policy on container hub ports

What is the Commission’s policy concerning the development of a container hub port for Europe?

In particular, does the Commission agree:

’ that the development of container megaships will pose acute environmental and other problems for

existing main ports in Europe, and

’ that increased dredging costs will pose difficult problems involving state aid?

(2002/C 147 E/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3069/01

by Professor Sir Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Policy on container hub ports

(26 October 2001)

What is the Commission’s policy concerning the development of a container hub port for Europe?

In particular, and having regard to Mr Hudghton’s question of today’s date:

’ does the Commission agree that a deep-water harbour is needed for use as a container hub port at

which containers may be transhipped between megaships and feeder vessels, and

’ that Scapa Flow in Orkney is the most appropriate location for such a container hub port?

Joint answer
to Written Questions P-3068/01 and P-3069/01
given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2001)

At present, a number of container hub ports are being operated in Europe. In order to allow big container
vessels, as well as feeder vessels, to operate satisfactorily and effectively, hub ports have to fulfil a number
of conditions, deep water drought being a key element.

The Commission does not believe that a central body should decide which port or ports should be hub
ports. The diversity of ports, current and future ones, and requirements of the market will enable future
developments of the already existing hub port system in Europe which, with changing transport and trade
patterns, is undergoing permanent changes.

The Commission is conscious of the environmental issues caused by a number of port developments. It
believes, however, that the necessary legal instruments are in place to address these issues. In case of
Natura 2000 protected areas, there is a clear procedure under Article 6 of the Habitats Directive (1) to
ensure that development affecting these sites are properly evaluated and only proceed having met certain
nature protection requirements.

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/89

The Commission is aware of plans to develop Scapa Flow in Orkney as a hub port for Europe. It believes
that market forces will determine the choice of ports as well as the best system of hub ports and their links
to feeder ports.

State aid grants to dredging activities are not foreseen within the scope of maritime transport State aid
policy. Even though aid may be granted in a certain number of restricted circumstances in the form of
reduced rates of contributions for the social protection and of income tax for Community seafarers
working on board dredgers, such aid would normally not be related to the amount of dredging carried out.
It would rather be related to a genuine support for the employment of Community seafarers, as provided
for in the context of the Commission’s more general maritime transport State aid policy. However, should
public authorities wish to grant State aid in support of dredging activities as such, prior notification to the
Commission would be required.

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora,

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2002/C 147 E/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3074/01

by Carlos Bautista Ojeda (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(12 November 2001)

Subject: Discrimination in Spain against disabled pilots

During the debates at the European Sports Forum held by the Commission in October this year one of the
issues raised was sport for the disabled and its importance as a factor in integration. The existence of so
many types and categories of sport, in particular sport at competition level, means that harmonisation is
needed in all the EU countries, with the Commission itself taking the initiative.

At the World Air Games in Andalucia this year we were able to see non-Spanish disabled sportsmen
completely integrated in the competition, flying on an equal footing with non-disabled sportsmen.

Spanish law does not allow disabled sportsmen to take the examinations to obtain a licence to engage in
various aerial sports.

Is the Commission aware of the discrimination suffered by disabled sportsmen in certain Member States,
who are denied the opportunity of obtaining a pilot’s licence, in contrast with other people with the same
degree of disability living in other EU countries?

Does the Commission consider that this fact constitutes discrimination against such sportsmen?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 2001)

As the Honourable Member pointed out, the Commission drew attention to the problems relating
specifically to sport for the disabled during the European Sports Forum held in Brussels on 17 and
18 October 2001. At this forum, the importance of sport as a factor in integration and the well-being of
disabled persons was emphasised, as was the need to remove obstacles to disabled people participating in
sport.