Press release

The European Shippers’ Council applauds the European Commission on its ambitious programme of actions that will improve the efficiency and quality of freight transport in Europe.

“ESC is especially pleased that the Commission are placing the freight transport user at the heart of their activities” remarked ESC Secretary General, Nicolette van der Jagt.

Commenting further, van der Jagt said, “The Commission states ‘User requirements need to become the focus of the future’ which is something we and our member Councils have been urging and campaigning for since the 2001 White Paper review of EU transport policy. Indeed the tranche of communications issued today contains recommended actions in many areas that we have been campaigning and lobbying for, such as:

Single window and a one stop ‘customs’ shop
The development and use of generic service performance indicators for each and every mode and terminals such as ports to provide a service benchmark and management tool
Simplifying customs requirements for short-sea shipping
A review of road freight vehicle weights and dimensions legislation that might open the door to a sensible policy towards allowing longer and heavier vehicles to improve efficiency and lower emissions
Priority for rail freight services on key strategic rail freight corridors
Investments in rail freight capacity that would enable longer and heavier trains along the strategic rail freight routes
Greater clarity and transparency on the shadowy subject of port dues and the relationship of these to actual costs.

“We, within the ESC, know that there is a lot of work and continuing pressure required in the coming months and next five years to get the results that are right for the users: the devil is always in the detail.”

“Additionally we need to look more closely at certain proposals, such as issues of co-operation between ports and terminals that the Commission appear to favour but which might have inferences for shippers who have been urging for greater competition in that sector. We will also want to look more closely at the proposal to develop a framework for monitoring and tracking the distribution of dangerous goods, as this might create costly restrictions on the routing of such freight. We are definitely interested in the ideas around a single European liability clause and instrument to cover all modes of transport.

“There is a lot to take in from the Commission’s package of actions announced today, much of which we like and some things that maybe look less promising. This will certainly keep us busy for quite some time.”

Notes:

The ESC represents the interests of some 100,000 companies involved in international trade, within, to and from the EU. ESC is the main organisation in Europe representing shippers’ interests in the area of freight transport, covering all modes of transport.

The ESC comments are in response to the following communications issued today (18th October, 2007) on European logistics and freight transport policy agenda:

"Freight Transport Logistics Action Plan" (ref: 323035 Logistics Action Plan) suggests a series of actions to promote freight and traffic management, sustainable quality and efficiency, simplification of administrative processes.
“Towards a rail network giving priority to freight” will make rail freight more competitive, in particular by ensuring lower transit times and increasing rail's reliability and responsiveness to customer requirements.
The "Communication on a European Ports Policy" (ref: 322811 Ports Policy) will provide a vision and a toolbox for enhancing the performance of ports as essential hubs in Europe’s transport system, helping them attracting new investment, creating a stable dialogue between all stakeholders and improving their image.
The "Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on monitoring development of the rail market" (ref: 321264 Rail monitoring) provides a first statistical analysis of development of the rail market and lays the foundation for regular reporting.
The "Draft Commission Staff Working Paper - Consultation on a European Maritime Space without barriers - Reinforcing the internal market for intra-European maritime transport" (ref: 322845 European Maritime Space) will start a consultation process on facilitation and simplification of administrative and documentary procedures for Short Sea Shipping.
The "Commission Staff Working Document - Report on the Motorways of the Sea - State of play and consultation" (ref: 323261 MoS) describes progress made in developing Motorways of the Sea and suggests further quality elements.

For further information contact: Nicolette van der Jagt, Secretary General of the ESC - Brussels 00 322 230 2113