10 Amendments of Paolo DE CASTRO related to 2023/2059(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas European ports are a key artery for EU and global trade, with 74 % of goods entering or leaving the EU by sea; whereas, in addition to its strategic function, ports are taking up an increasingly important role as the anchor of social and economic growth of the regions as well as in the supply, production, provision and storage of energy, and greening of transport and industry;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that geopolitical tension and supply chain disruption, alongside Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, represent significant challenges for the efficient operation ofduring the pandemic, ports have played a crucial role in ensuring the continuance of emergency supply chains; highlights that also in the new geopolitical context, alongside Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the essential role of ports in keeping supply chains operational and setting up new alternative routes, including humanitarian lanes and solidarity lanes for Ukrainian exports, is again coming to the forefront; further underlines that European ports are pivotal in safeguarding energy supplies and in reducing energy dependency from Russia and will remain instrumental in repowering Europe in the short term, by enhancing the setting up of alternative routes for the provision of gas and increasing gas storage; in parallel, stresses that ports are and will be key in reinforcing efforts to prepare for a fossil- free energy landscape in Europe an ports; d will play an important role in the greening of transport, industry and energy generation;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that an open, fair, sustainable and assertive EU trade policy, coupled with ambitious trade agreements, would strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of European portsare key for the competitiveness and resilience of European ports and for Europe’s growth and prosperity; recognises that Europe’s maritime manufacturing capabilities are essential to the Union's maritime strategic autonomy, innovation and sustainable growth as well as to the EU's ambitions to lead the twin green and digital transitions; believes that the EU Regulation on Foreign Subsidies and autonomous tools are essential to preserve and foster the European maritime industrial base;
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the implementation of recent or pending EU legislation, including in the field of trade, will require investment and training for port operators and authorities; acknowledges that ports require significant investments to implement the obligations stemming from the Fit for 55 package and to be able to play their role in the green transition; underlines the importance of emerging technologies and digitalisation in European ports and the need to stimulate investment in the uptake of innovative solutions and support the digital transition in the port sector; recalls the importance of promoting sustainable investments in European ports, such as in electrification, hydrogen production, offshore wind energy, it will be key to boost ports' rail connections to TEN-T networks and to avoid botlenecks in these networks;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that in certain cases foreign trade andThe lack of an effective and efficient investment can causd trade defense policy can produce security vulnerabilities, in particular with regard to foreign ownership, control or access to EU critical infrastructure, including European ports; believes that foreign investments in essential and critical infrastructure that might enable effective participation or control (direct or indirect) in the management of the port should be thouroughly scrutinized; underlines that foreign investments, from state backed companies or state subsidies in all forms, that enable effective participation or direct or indirect control in the management of the port, should be avoided; considers that, in order to strengthen Europe's resilience, competetion on an equal footing must be ensured and that the level playing field and Europe's competitiveness can not be undermined with distortive foreign subsidies in European Ports;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Considers that a well-functioning Customs Union is fundamental to the EU’s competitiveness, sustainability and resilience; believes that a reformed and strengthened Customs Union with a common customs code will preserve the integrity of the Single Market, helping to maintain EU competitiveness in the twin green and digital transitions and avoid unfair competition between European ports;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Believes that tackling ‘port shopping’, a practice undermining the integrity of the EU internal market whereby traders target certain ports for products to enter the Single Market, is key; notes that currently customs controls are largely based on automated and targeted risk management, and that Member States employ national systems with national data to do this; underlines the urgency to have in place harmonised customs controls in all European ports to avoid different application of sanitary or due diligence standards;
Amendment 60 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the regulation on the screening of foreign direct investments2 addresses risks to security and public order resulting from investments from third countries, including those concerning European ports; believes the forthcoming review of the FDI Regulation should make foreign direct investment screening system mandatory in all Member States; considers that assessments on the basis of this Regulation should be more binding and take place within a reasonable timeframe safeguarding the attractiveness of Europe for new investments; _________________ 2 Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2019 establishing a framework for the screening of foreign direct investments into the Union (OJ L 79I, 21.3.2019, p. 1).
Amendment 67 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasises the considerable role that the Global Gateway could play in strengthening the network of European ports with third countries, facilitating trade and expanding investment opportunities, hence creating mutually beneficial partnerships and promoting sustainable value chains; highlights in this regard the importance for the EU to step up its economic diplomacy.
Amendment 71 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Underlines the importance of a healthy, competitive and diversified maritime and logistics environment for ports; points however to the increasing market power of a small amount of stakeholders, in particular shipping lines, that risks to affect the fair power balance and level playing field between the different actors in the port ecosystem; as such, emphasizes the importance of effective and timely dialogue between ports and other logistics stakeholders in order to ensure well-functioning supply chains and avoid stranded assets.