On 5th July 2018 was held in Brussels the “Motorways of the Sea | Detailed Implementation Plan and MoS Study Presentation Final Conference”: a great opportunity to discuss the results achieved and the improvements for MoS.
The conference was opened by Brian Simpson, European Coordinator for MoS: he presented the key conclusions and recommendations from his Detailed Implementation Plan, in which he has succeeded in ensuring MoS plays an integral role in the TEN-T network.
Wojciech Sopinski, DG MOVE (Download here the presentation)proceeded to present the main recommendations from the DIP according to the three pillars identified by the MoS Coordinator as priority areas for future investment:
1) environment
2) integration of MoS in the logistics chain
3) safety, traffic management and human element
Among the main recommendations for environment, the issue of the role of LNG was one of the main points of discussion. Audience and panel agreed that although there have been a large number of LNG projects funded under MoS, the future role of LNG would have to be seen as a transition fuel to cleaner non-fossil fuel alternatives including battery-electric power in order to reach the IMO CO2 reduction targets of 50% by 2050. Regarding Pillar II on integration in the logistics chain, all speakers underlined the role of MoS in improving connectivity: in the Mediterranean region the links with neighbourhood countries could play a more prominent role in the context of MoS policy. On Pillar III on safety, traffic management and human element, recommendations included ice-breaking, surveying, vocational training and and Sea Traffic Management. Mr. Sopinski introduced also the Multi-Annual Financial Framework for the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2021-2027. The current proposed budget is EUR 30m for transport.
Evert Mink (Download here the presentation) from INEA provided a state of play of the 47 MoS actions that mobilised over EUR 1bn investment in the current funding period and highlighted that decarbonisation, digitalisation and Brexit would be three key areas for future outlook, still in line with the three pillars.
On behalf of the consultancy consortium supporting the Commission and Mr. Simpson, Dr Sönke Maatsch (Institute of Shipping Logistics (ISL)) presented the Study backing the DIP to identify the investment needs for future MoS. He underlined that the diversity of ports and links means that solutions must be adapted to the “adequate” level, which can be different to “compliant” level.
Following the data presentation, the communication activities were presented to the audience by Alexio Picco (Circle) (Download here the presentation): he outlined the communication efforts towards stakeholders and EU decision-makers (i.e. keeping other corridors informed of the Coordinators’ activities and ensuring that MoS becomes a recognised partner in the TEN-T network; organizing three MoS Fora (one per pillar), one Member State forum, one industry forum, two presentations to the European Parliament Transport Committee, three MoS Friends events in the EP and two TEN-T Days presentations).
The session on MoS Links Projects was carried out with the presentation of BCLink – MoS blending project (by Francesco Maria Di Majo – Port of Rome) (Download here the presentation), Venice Patras (by Antonio Revedin – North Adriatic Sea Port Authority) (Download here the presentation), Rostock Hanko link (by Mario Lembke – Port of Rostock) (Download here the presentation) and MoS Links projects outcomes (by Eija Kanto – Wega) (Download here the presentation), spanning a wide geographic area and all contributing to enhancing connections to Core Network Corridors.
Then the first part of the session “The framework for the future of MoS towards digitalisation/simplification” started with the presentation by Jarek Kotowski (INEA) (Download here the presentation) who gave a very comprehensive overview of the new call for “Digitalisation and Multimodality” projects which is open until 24 October 2018 and has a small but available envelope of EUR 450m. He underlined that all modes of transport are included and therefore strict guidelines for eligibility apply.
Irene Mulica (DG TAXUD) (Download here the presentation) presented the framework for the European Single Window Environment for customs and the preparations towards a proposal expected in early 2020. The objective is reducing administrative burden, saving time and resources, reducing human error, and increasing traceability and harmonised implementation.
Monica Grosso and Mitchell Van Balen from the EC JRC presented the transport research innovation monitoring and information system (TRIMIS) (Download here the presentation). TRIMIS was launched by the Commission as part of the Strategic Transport Research and Innovation Agenda and the Europe on the Move Package that came out last year. One of its main missions is to identify research gaps in R&I, representing a very useful tool to bridge a link from maritime research to MoS projects.
The second part of the session “The framework for the future of MoS towards digitalisation/simplification” was carried out through the presentations by Magnus Sundström – Towards Sea Traffic Management (Download here the presentation) – Swedish Maritime Administration; Covadonga Suárez – Picasso project (Download here the presentation) – Sasemar; Daniel Criado – Shipping line MoS needs and requirements (Download here the presentation) – Suardiaz; Dubi Gerber – Cybersecurity (Download here the presentation) in maritime and logistics – MD International. They highlighted a number of relevant points, including the importance of developing international standards for interoperability in sea traffic management, the possibilities offered by technology to improve on-board and shore safety and security, as well as emergency services, the need for addressing the challenges of customs controls while extending MoS to neighbouring countries and cybersecurity challenges for ships and ports.
The last session was about the point of view of ports agencies and ports users on the integration of logistic chain information: thanks to the contribution by Tarik Maaouni (Agence National de Ports – Morocco) (Download here the presentation), Jose Garcia de la Guia (International Port Community Systems Association) (Download here the presentation), Nick Delmeire (European Shippers’ Council) (Download here the presentation), Fernando Liesa (Alice EU logistic platform) (Download here the presentation) was pointed out how to support international fast trade lanes and neighbourhood cooperation and the importance of new digital technologies for the management of port controls, supply chains and logistics chains.
From the European Commission’s Digital Transport and Logistics Forum, Astrid Schlewing (Download here the presentation) presented the work done on the concepts of Electronic Freight Transport Information and on the European Maritime Single Window Environment. A proposal for a Regulation on the latter was published in May 2018, with the aim to improve the electronic reporting of formalities from ships and therefore improve the efficiency along the logistics chain. A Commission Decision is expected in July on DTLF and the first meetings would take place after the summer to define a detailed work programme.
Finally a summary of the conference was given by Aida Axelsson (ADS Insight) on behalf of the consortium, followed by closing words from Brian Simpson.
Source: MoS DIP consortium
