Regulation (EU) 2020/697 amending Regulation (EU) 2017/352, so as to allow the managing body of a port or the competent authority to provide flexibility in respect of the levying of port infrastructure charges in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak

Summary:

Regulation (EU) 2020/697 - adopted by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament on 25 May 2020 - which introduces amendments to Regulation (EU) 2017/352 so as to allow the managing body of a port or the competent authority to provide flexibility in respect of the levying of port infrastructure charges in the context of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.

Further information:

Regulation (EU) 2017/352 establishes a framework for the provision of port services, and common rules on financial transparency and on port service and infrastructure charges. It applies to the provision of a number of categories of port services and it does not provide for any exception to the obligation to levy charges.

The pandemic has greatly affected the maritime transport sector. The impact was likely to be long-lasting - a waiver, suspension, reduction or deferral of the payment of port infrastructure charges was could be a valid way to support ship operators as they try to retain financial sustainability under such circumstances. The amendment allows the managing body of a port or the competent authority to decide to waive, to suspend, to reduce or to defer the payment of port infrastructure charges due for the period from 1 March 2020 to 31 October 2020.

The European Commission adopted the proposal for this amendment on 29 April 2020, as part of a package of initiatives to support the transport sector in the context of the pandemic. The Council adopted its position on 8 May, which was followed by the European Parliament on 15 May. The Act was formally signed by the co-legislators on the same day and published in the Official Journal on 27 May 2020.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

EPRS: At a Glance, May 2020: Coronavirus: Transport support package https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2020)651912

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Official

EUR-LEX: COM(2020)177: Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2017/352, so as to enable managing bodies or competent authorities to provide flexibility in respect of the levying of port infrastructure charges in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2020:177:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on Provision of port services and financial transparency of ports: enabling managing bodies or competent authorities to provide flexibility in respect of the levying of port infrastructure charges in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2020/0067(COD)

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: Coronavirus - Flexibility in respect of the levying of port infrastructure charges in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-coronavirus-and-eu-action/file-coronavirus-port-infrastructure-charges-flexibility/05-2020

European Commission: DG Mobility and Transport: News, 29/04/2020: Coronavirus: package of measures to support transport sector https://ec.europa.eu/transport/media/news/2020-04-29-coronavirus-package-measures-support-transport-sector_en

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 08/05/2020: COVID-19: Council agrees its positions on transport relief measures https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/05/08/covid-19-council-agrees-its-positions-on-transport-relief-measures/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 20/05/2020: COVID-19 transport measures: Council adopts temporary flexibility for licences and port services https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/05/20/covid-19-transport-measures-council-adopts-temporary-flexibility-for-licences-and-port-services/

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