Activities of Johannes BLOKLAND related to 2008/2007(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Freight transport in Europe (debate)
Amendments (11)
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes in particular that the Commission is concerned at the imbalance in maritime trade movements in Europe, but also points to the diversity of the ports sector andthe diversity of the ports sector, including in terms of traffic volume, but also notes the increase in small and medium-sized ports in Europe; considers also thatthat, in its decision-making, the Commission should take account of the major changes expected in international maritime traffic as a result of technological progress, the widening of the Panama Canal and the increase in the size and capacity of vessels, which will undoubtedly have a substantial impact on the sector;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers that maritime and river transport cannot be considered in isolation from land and air transport and that links to a port’s hinterland are of great importance to its commercial success; withsupports thise in view, also believes thtention of the Commission, therefore, to evaluate planning is needed at Community level to ensure better exploitation of transport capacities in the area of cabotage and river transport, and also as regards connections with land and air transport; orts’ hinterland connections status and needs and their impact on a balanced network of traffic flows on the occasion of the mid-term review of the trans-European transport network in 20101; ____________________ 1 Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 680/2007.
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to conduct a survey of the problems encountered by European ports in this area and calls onurges the Commission to consider compiling a log of these problems, so as specifically to tackle problems generated by competition with third country portsinclude this survey in discussions in connection with the external maritime relations of the Community;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that new technologies, particularly information technologies, are key elements that will enable European ports, which are already facing competitive pressures from to increase theird country ports, but also in some cases suffering from a lack of space to expand, to increase their efficienc efficiency, sustainability and profitability;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Warmly welcomes the Commission’s intention to submit a legislative proposal on creating a barrier-free European maritime transport area and considers that the aim of this proposal should be to ensure fair competition between maritime transport and land transport in the Unionbring about a fully developed internal market in the field of maritime transport;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Approves the extension of the transparency requirements laid down by Commission Directive 2006/111 of 16 November 2006 on the transparency of the financial relations between the Member States and public undertakings as well as on financial transparency within certain undertakings, but calls on the Commission to consider a reduced minimum threshold for annual revenue ratherand takes the view that complete transparency is needed for both commercial and non-commercial ports; calls on the Commission, therefore, to completely abolish the revenue threshold from Directive 2006/111/EC in order to create a fully developed internal market for maritime thran an absolute obligationsport which is not undermined by State aid measures for ports;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on the Commission to undertake a study of the funds provided by public authorities to European commercial ports so as to identify possible distortions of competition, but considers that aid given to port authorities to develop their port infrastructures, curb congesit equally important that public or partially public ports should acquire sufficient financial autonomy to use investment efficiently and sustainably, which is a key precondition and preduce road freight should not be seen as state aidmise for a fully developed internal market in maritime transport;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Takes note, in particular, of the Commission’s analysis of port concessions and calls on it to bear in mind the importance of some flexibility for port authorities in this area, particularly as regards the renewal of concessions linked to major investments, but believes that this flexibility should not be used to prevent competition within ports;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Urges that a social dialogue committee be set up and considers that it should deal with subjects related to ports, including workers’ rights, concessions and the 1979 International Labour Organisation Convention on occupational safety and health (dock work);
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Supports the Commission’s desire to provide port workers with a mutually recognisable basic qualification so as to foster flexibility in the sector; considers, however, that this basic qualification must not have the effect of lowering the average level of qualification of port workers in a Member State;