Press Release: Commission proposes new measures to improve market access to port services

The European Commission on 13 October 2004 adopted a new proposal for a Directive on Market Access to Port Services, which aims at boosting the competitiveness of EU ports and contributing to reduce congestion and environmental pollution by promoting inter alia maritime transport. This new EU legislative would introduce specific and clear rules on access to the provision of port services market, which was almost the only transport sector not to have a Community legal framework, and is aimed at creating a level playing field in the competition between ports.