What is the problem? European ports need to increase the efficiency and quality of their services

Maritime transport plays a key role for EU trade and prosperity but transport operators, EU ports and administrations in charge of various controls (safety, security customs, immigration, etc) are under pressure to increase the efficiency and quality of their services.

Why is EU action necessary? EU-wide online maritime services could boost trade

Using advanced information technologies for working and doing business in the maritime transport sector is a good solution to improve services and facing more and more socio-economic and environmental demands.

EU-wide online maritime services include:

1. developing interoperable e-Maritime services
2. deploying online maritime services and integrating them with other existing systems for paperless transactions
3. demonstrating the potential benefits on maritime transport administrations, operators and business across Europe

What will the European Commission do?

In 2011:

• A Commission proposal for a Framework Directive.
• Speed up administrative procedures, simplify through a single gateway, which distributes the information to those concerned on time and reliably.
• Establishing competitive networks to improve the use of resources, operational efficiency and quality of services including environmental performance.
• Improve working conditions for seafarers (better communications will facilitate e-training, infotainment, communication with shore and family); life long career development, and eLearning tools.

In 2012:

• Pilot projects to demonstrate the added–value of EU common standards, rules for interoperability of new services and tools for compatibility with existing systems, and the removal of structural constraints.

Contact:

juhani.jaaskelainen@ec.europa.eu