91997E3478

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3478/97 by Anne McIntosh (PPE) to the Commission (27 October 1997)

Subject: State aid to Community ports

Does the Commission intend to harmonize the competitive position between Community ports?

Is the Commission aware that competing Community ports are operating with different levels of Government support? Harwich and Felixstowe, for example, must levy charges on all visiting ships to cover port costs such as capital maintenance and dredging, staffing and equipping VTS operations, provision of lighthouses and navigation aids, environmental protection and pollution control and pilotage services.

Is the Commission aware that many of these services are either totally funded or subsidised by Government agencies in neighbouring ports? For example, figures were published recently detailing the German Government's contribution of DM 320 million towards dredging at Bremerhaven and Hamburg, whereas Harwish and Felixstowe are required to fund an identical project through commercial banks. Does the Commission accept that, as a result, higher port dues must be levied on client ships?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (21 November 1997)

Port financing and charging systems in the Community differ considerably between European ports. At present, each Member State decides whether, and to what extent, to charge users for the provision of port services and facilities, including maritime access and navigational aids. The Commission does not normally monitor tariff practices nor does it aim to harmonize tariffs in the port sector.

Public support for port infrastructure is normally not considered as state aid within the meaning of Article 92 of the EC Treaty as long as the infrastructure is open to all users, in the public interest and on the basis of non-discriminatory access. However, public financing of port superstructure (such as buildings, semi-mobile and mobile equipment) whose access is restricted to certain users is considered as state aid and its compatibility with the EC Treaty has to be examined on that basis.

In the forthcoming green paper on ports and maritime infrastructure, the issue of infrastructure financing and charging will be addressed extensively. The green paper is likely to be adopted towards the end of 1997 and will subsequently be submitted to the Parliament. Further measures in the port sector will, to a large extent, depend on the outcome of the discussions with the other Community institutions, Member States and interested parties following the publication of the paper.