EU ships carrying mostly EU goods to experience reduced custom checks
THE European Commission (EC) plans to create a single market through its Blue Belt initiative that will see lighter customs formalities for EU ships carrying mostly EU goods, and those ships calling at third country ports.
EC Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said that the cutting of red tape will improve the EU competitiveness in the shipping sector at a time when it faces rising congestion and pollution.
It has a cost-saving implication of up to EUR25 (US$32) per TEU, according to feedback from members of the European Shipowners Association (ECSA).
"We need short sea shipping to fulfill its potential and provide a low cost, environmentally-friendly transport solution, taking more goods off lorries and off our congested roads," said Mr Kallas, reported London's Lloyd's Loading List.
It hopes that measures which will create a single transport area will be supported by a new eManifest system of single electronic cargo declaration to provide manifest for EU and non-EU goods.
THE European Commission (EC) plans to create a single market through its Blue Belt initiative that will see lighter customs formalities for EU ships carrying mostly EU goods, and those ships calling at third country ports.
EC Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said that the cutting of red tape will improve the EU competitiveness in the shipping sector at a time when it faces rising congestion and pollution.
It has a cost-saving implication of up to EUR25 (US$32) per TEU, according to feedback from members of the European Shipowners Association (ECSA).
"We need short sea shipping to fulfill its potential and provide a low cost, environmentally-friendly transport solution, taking more goods off lorries and off our congested roads," said Mr Kallas, reported London's Lloyd's Loading List.
It hopes that measures which will create a single transport area will be supported by a new eManifest system of single electronic cargo declaration to provide manifest for EU and non-EU goods.