EC proposal points to ports ‘red tape’

The proposal forms part of the new port package, which is supposed to promote competition in and between ports through more transparency, liberalisation and clarity regarding the financing of ports and the provision of service in ports. However, despite pointing to a number of good aspects to the proposal, according to the CEO, Hans Smits, the appointment of a new supervisor with a supervisory role would actually undermine the intentions of the EC and increase red tape.

“In the Netherlands, such new supervision is totally superfluous,” he says, pointing out that following being given autonomy in 2004, the Port Authority signed a covenant with Deltalinqs (the association of port industries), after it had been reviewed by the Netherlands Competition Authority. “In it, highly efficient and effective procedures for setting port tariffs were agreed.”

Furthermore, anyone who has a complaint can report it to the competition authority.