Endorsement of a legislative proposal on the liberalisation of EU port services

The European Parliament's plenary session approved a legislative proposal liberalising the port services across the European Union. MEPs believed these rules would allow for fees and funding that ports receive from shipping lines and government to be clearar.

The proposal includes a requirement for ports to show clearly in their accounting systems the public funds they have received and to improve transparency in the way port services and infrastructure charges are set. EU member states would also have to ensure that an effective procedure is in place to handle complaints.

The European Commission put forward the draft text in May 2013. The Council of the European Union adopted its negotiating position in October 2014, while the Parliament set out its own in March 2016. Both institutions reached an informal agreement in June.

These rules apply to over 300 EU seaports in the trans-European transport network (TEN-T).

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: The liberalisation of EU port services http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-liberalisation-of-eu-port-services-2/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 23.01.17: More efficient port services: Council adopts reform http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/01/23-agri-port-services/

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