A European Green Deal to reshape EU economy
During her speech to the Members of the European Parliament, Ms Ursula von der Leyen declared that climate change will be a top priority and that as a President of the European Commission, she was committed to delivering –in her first 100 days– a European Green Deal able to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
Ms Von der Leyen’s plan already contains about 20 different policy proposals, spanning from the creation of a Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, to the introduction of a carbon border tax as well as the partial transformation of the European Investment Bank into a climate bank and the adoption of a new industrial policy for Europe.
If implemented, the Green Deal could in fact also represent an unprecedented opportunity for Europe to move away from fragmented policymaking.
Thanks to its comprehensive nature, a Green Deal has the potential to unleash Europe’s deep decarbonisation, and therefore to profoundly reshape the continent’s economy.
MEP Bas Eickhout recently mentioned that “the EU must adopt an ambitious industrial policy aligned with its climate agenda by investing in clean technologies and introducing a carbon tariff at the EU’s external border in order to protect industries against environmental dumping.”
If this is part of the Green Deal, then this would probably be one of the best news that many sectors in the EU are waiting for.
More than 500 European and national industrial associations have indeed recently called for a new industrial policy while France and Germany have also made a common proposal. An ambitious climate policy can be consistent with an ambitious industrial policy.
It can be if EU Member States realise that we are very vulnerable if they remain dependent only on imports, energy and material resources. It will be important to combine industrial and climate policies. The EU can lead on innovation and deliver both on climate and future jobs.
It will be essential to use the potential of digitalization to implement smart, seamless and sustainable operations in the transport logistics sector and create jobs that will make the best use of human creativity and capacity to innovate.
Rethinking the EU economy thanks to a European Green Deal should also mean that EU Member States are less naive towards third countries particularly when it comes to geostrategic agendas.
The EU is a big consumer market with many strategic point of access to the EU territory.
European ports should not be conceived as ordinary assets but as advanced platforms/laboratories where both EU climate and industrial policies can reconcile and embody EU priorities for the future. If awareness among Member States and EU institutions becomes significant then this will entail the end of a fragmented policymaking and initiating a common reflection among European port stakeholders in favour of a sustainable use of public resources.
FEPORT is looking forward to contributing to the reflection on all the above mentioned issues.
Fifth Annual Stakeholders’ Conference
08.07.2019 - ALICE Plenary Meeting - London
On 08 July, FEPORT participated in the Plenary meeting of the ALICE European Technology Platform. The European Technology Platform ALICE was established to develop a comprehensive strategy for research, innovation and market deployment of logistics and supply chain management innovation in Europe. ALICE is based on the recognition of the need for an overarching view on logistics and supply chain planning and control, in which shippers and logistics service providers closely collaborate to reach efficient logistics and supply chain operations.
The main issue for discussion at the Plenary meeting was the election of a new Executive Group for the 2019-2021 period. Mr. Francois Regis (L’Oreal) was elected as Chair whilst Mr. Sergio Barbarino (P&G) and Mr. Nik Delmeire (IWT) were both elected as Vice-Chairs.
08.07.2019 - HLSG on Single Window - Brussels
On 08 July, FEPORT participated in the High-Level Steering group meeting on Single Windows. The meeting was a joint meeting between the HLSG on Governance of the Digital Maritime System and Services and the Customs Business Group. The objective of the Single Window group is to ensure that single window initiatives (such as the National Maritime Single Windows and Customs Single Windows initiatives) are aligned.
FEPORT supports the objective of the European Commission to ensure that the various Single Window initiatives are aligned. FEPORT believes that this will assist in minimising the number of system updates required by trade, thereby allowing for trade to focus on how to innovate and improve systems.
09-11.07.2019 - Physical Internet Conference (IPIC) - London
The future of the global freight and logistics industry was discussed at the IPIC conference in London during three days in early July 2019. The aim of the conference was to provide stakeholders and governments an open platform to discuss concepts, methodologies, innovative projects, technological initiatives with respect to Physical Internet.
Conference topics included interconnected logistics, cross-chain control, synchro modal transportation, open logistics networks, systems & technologies for interconnected logistics, supply chain coordination & collaboration, and urban freight transport and logistics. Through these areas IPIC touched on new areas such as automated transport, robotics, artificial intelligence, internet of things and blockchain.
The Physical Internet represents a huge opportunity for the transport and logistics sector to improve efficiency and sustainability through connected, interoperable and shared used of resources and assets on a massive scale.
10.07.2019 - European Parliament TRAN Constituent Committee and next steps - Brussels
On the 9th of July, the Constitutive meeting of TRAN Parliamentary Committees has elected MEP Karima Delli as President of the Committee.
FEPORT congratulate MEP Karima Delli for her re-election and welcomes the TRAN Committee’s choice which privileges continuity in leadership. We hope that the positive path which started during the previous term will be pursued.
The reduction of Greenhouse emissions is one of the most important issue that must be addressed in the 21st century. European institutions have recognized this as a key priority to be tackled. FEPORT reiterate its call for a good mapping of the different sources of pollution to better target them. We believe that this is a prerequisite to adopt smart legislation. Proper implementation of existing rules will also be crucial.
FEPORT members also congratulate MEP Pascal Canfin (REG, FR, ENVI Committee), MEP Bernd Lange (S&D, DE, INTA Committee), MEP Roberto Gualtieri (S&D, IT, ECON Committee), MEP Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová (ECR, SK, EMPL Committee), MEP Petra De Sutter (Greens, BE, IMCO Committee) and all the other MEP who have elected as Presidents and Vice Presidents of the European Parliament Committees. FEPORT is looking forward to working with all MEPs.
After the summer break, most probably during the second half of September, designated Commissioners will go through hearings at the European Parliament. The designated Commissioners will have to answer questions from the MEPs who are members of the Committees responsible for their respective portfolios.
Composition of the new European Parliament
16.07.2019 - European Rail Facilities Portal - Brussels
On 16 July, FEPORT participated in the first meeting of the interim governance-board of the European Rail Facilities Portal. The Portal is an EU-funded, common, user-friendly and market-oriented GIS-based ICT tool, mapping and providing key information on the rail service facilities (e.g. train stations, intermodal terminals, marshalling yards and refuelling facilities) and last-mile infrastructure (e.g. public and private sidings) all over Europe. It also provides information on the availability of rail-related services (e.g. locomotive repair and maintenance, refuelling and customs clearance).
Given that port terminals often have rail facilities, FEPORT has been identified as one of the key stakeholders to participate in the interim governance-board. FEPORT supports measures that have a real impact in increasing the attractiveness of rail whilst not creating excessive administrative burdens on port operators.
24.07.2019 - First meeting of the TRAN Committee - Brussels
On 24 July, the first meeting of the newly elected European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism committee took place. The members participated in the exchange of views with the Finnish Transport and Tourism Ministers as well as Transport Commissioner, Violeta Bulc.
The Finnish Minister of Transport, Ms Marin, presented the Finnish Presidency’s priorities for the second half of 2019. She mentioned that the Presidency is committed to continuing work on the pending legislative files among others the Eurovignette, with an aim to adopt the Council’s General Approach.
Furthermore, the Finnish Presidency is ready to begin trilogues on the social and market aspects of the 1st Mobility Package, when the TRAN Committee agrees on a mandate to negotiate, and conduct negotiations in a constructive and neutral way.
With regards to intermodal networks, the objective is to continue to work on the proposal for a Smart TEN-T Network, aiming to reach a General Approach and open negotiations if possible.
On the electronic freight transport information (eFTI), discussions are expected to be finalised.
The Finnish Presidency will coordinate the EU’s positions in view of the upcoming meetings of the International Maritime Organisation and will work on strengthening the EU’s global role with respect to sustainability, digitalisation and automation. The Minister also emphasised that Finland seeks to promote ambitious emission reduction targets in all modes of transport.
The Committee has also held an exchange of views with the Commissioner for Mobility and Transport, Ms Violeta Bulc, who presented the Commission’s priority files for the coming months. Commissioner Bulc urged the new TRAN Committee’s members to support a swift adoption of 16 outstanding files, in particular those on the Connecting Europe Facility 2.0 and the 1st Mobility Package which will also pave the way to finalise the Combined Transport dossier.
In the maritime sector, decarbonatization remains one of the most important goals for European Institutions. Commissioner Bulc explained that maritime stakeholders committed to decarbonise and lower their emissions by 2050. But more ambitious targets could be set by a 2030 review clause during the next mandate.
Finally, Commissioner Bulc discussed the EU Maritime Single Window which could be potentially transposed at global level by the International Maritime Organization.
Finally, the TRAN Committee had a discussion on the progress and potential of modal shift from road to more sustainable transport modes, with respect to the policy objectives set in the 2011 Transport White Paper. The TRAN-commissioned study was presented, highlighting main barriers and factors that are hampering a more effective modal shift at EU level and providing policy recommendations for the way forward. Despite an increase in freight volumes, the modal shares of road, rail and inland waterway transport have remained substantially unchanged between 1996 and 2016.
Events supported by FEPORT
The European Logistics Platform (ELP) organises its next event “Logistics in Transition: how to handle growing freight transport and the challenges ahead” on Wednesday, 25 September, at the Residence Palace in Brussels.
Shippers, carriers, ports and terminals, inland operators, regulators, researchers, educators, NGOs, equipment, technology, service providers and all those concerned with the safety, security and sustainability of cargo operations on land and at sea are invited to join ICHCA in the Mediterranean hub port of Malta this 11-14 November to help shape the future.
FEPORT meetings
19.09.2019 Board of Directors – Brussels
30.09.2019 Social Affairs Committee – Brussels
01.10.2019 Environment, Safety & Security Committee – Brussels
24.10.2019 Port Policy Committee - Brussels
06.11.2019 Customs & Logistics Committee - Brussels
14.11.2019 Board of Directors - Brussels
27.11.2019 General Assembly - Brussels
28.11.2019 Fifth Annual Stakeholders Conference – Brussels
Institutional meetings
02-03.09.2019 TRAN Committee Meeting – Brussels
03.09.2019 EMPL Committee Meeting – Brussels
04-05.09.2019 ENVI Committee Meeting – Brussels
12.09.2019 EMPL Committee Meeting – Brussels
23-24.09.2019 TRAN Committee Meeting – Brussels
23-24.09.2019 EMPL Committee Meeting – Brussels
25-26.09.2019 ENVI Committee Meeting – Brussels
30.09-01.10.2019 ENVI Committee Meeting – Brussels
02.12.2019 EU Transport Council – Brussels
Other meetings
25.09.2019 ELP Event on Logistics – Brussels
07-09.10.2019 Digital Transport Days – Helsinki
08.10.2019 TIC 4.0 Plenary Meeting – Marseille
09-10.10.2019 PEMA AGM – Marseille
10.10.2019 Green Inland Shipping– Brussels
18.10.2019 Social Dialogue for Ports Meeting – Brussels
23.10.2019 EFIP Anniversary – Strasbourg
12-15.11.2019 ICHCA Conference - Malta
19-20.11.2019 ENMC Meeting – Rome
FEPORT Newsletter - July/August 2019