• Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • The UK Ports Industry
    • Port Skills and Safety
    • British Ports Association
    • Other Partner Organisations
  • Policies
    • Safety
    • Environment
    • Local communities
    • Developing skills
    • EU
    • Working with Devolved Administrations
    • Road and Rail Links to Ports
  • Ports
  • News
    • UKMPG News
    • Members News
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Members
    • Log In
    • Log Out

UK Major Ports Group

UK Major Ports

EU

Many of the issues that confront UK ports are affected by policy and legislation from the European Commission and European Parliament. 

While UK ports receive virtually no financial assistance from the public purse, the situation is very different in most continental ports.  Despite the fact that we are an island nation, UK ports compete with continental ports for certain types of traffic.  UKMPG members are therefore very concerned by the lack of a ‘level playing field’ between UK and Continental ports.  We welcomed the Commission’s Communication on Ports Policy, published in October 2007, which confirmed that competition among ports needs to be on a fair basis.  UKMPG is awaiting the production of the Commission’s guidance on the application of state-aid rules to ports with a high degree of interest.

At the same time, UKMPG believes it is essential that legislation aimed at regulating less commercial ports on the continent does not cause unintended damage to the UK’s thriving commercial sector.  On this basis, UKMPG strongly opposes the proposed EU Port Services Regulation.  The proposal aims to regulate market access to port services, port charges and financial transparency. We believe the regulation could have serious negative consequences for job creation and investment in the EU port sector.

The proposal goes against the Commission’s aim to create ‘Better Regulation’, ignores the principles of subsidiarity and ignores the European Parliament, which has twice rejected similar proposals. Given the complexity and strategic importance of the EU port sector, a one size fits all approach regulation at the EU level will not work.

The text as a whole, even if heavily amended, cannot deliver on its stated aims. Instead, it will create severe legal uncertainty, reduce investment and will ultimately be detrimental to the safety standards and working conditions which currently exist in EU ports.  EU ports may have different ownership structures, but all require a high level of confidence in a stable legal and policy framework in the long term if they are to operate safely and contribute to the EU agenda for jobs and growth. The Port Services Regulation proposal does not provide such confidence and risks leaving a legacy of legal and practical difficulties across the EU.

Instead, UKMPG supports a return to the previous EU ports policy approach based round application of the general provisions of the Treaty reinforced, where appropriate, by guidelines on state aids. This so called “soft law” approach has worked well and helped EU ports to prosper during a difficult economic period.

Sign Up For Updates

Add your email address to be notified whenever we post news updates.

Events

February 2019
MTWTFSS
« Jan   Mar »
     1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28    

Recent News

THE COST OF BOTTLENECKS: MAJOR REPORT SHOWS OVER 50,000 HGV HOURS A DAY LOST NEEDLESSLY TO TRAFFIC

THE COST OF BOTTLENECKS: MAJOR REPORT SHOWS OVER 50,000 HGV HOURS A DAY LOST NEEDLESSLY TO TRAFFIC

January 31, 2019 By Lianne Stephens

MARITIME 2050: MAJOR PORTS WELCOME RECOMMENDATIONS TO BOOST PORTS DEVELOPMENT & THE COASTAL POWERHOUSE

MARITIME 2050: MAJOR PORTS WELCOME RECOMMENDATIONS TO BOOST PORTS DEVELOPMENT & THE COASTAL POWERHOUSE

January 24, 2019 By Lianne Stephens

Ports Preparedness for Brexit

Ports Preparedness for Brexit

January 23, 2019 By Lianne Stephens

UK Major Ports Group welcomes step-up in no deal planning

UK Major Ports Group welcomes step-up in no deal planning

December 18, 2018 By Lianne Stephens

About UK Major Ports Group

The United Kingdom Major Ports Group Ltd (UKMPG) was formed in 1993 and is the trade association representing most of the larger commercial ports in the United Kingdom. It has nine members who, between them, own and operate over 40 ports, accounting for more than 70% of the total tonnage handled in UK ports. … Continue Reading

Latest Tweets

  • Outstanding Valentine's Day rhyming from the heroes at @MCA_media ! https://t.co/rLAORULDVD February 14, 2019 11:03 am
  • Hey @TheEconomist - not any more! Today's UKs maritime sectors are committed to improving gender balance. In ports… https://t.co/8bn87fPCUU February 13, 2019 6:23 pm
  • The @hightidetees do great work showing young people the range of #opportunities open to them and driving up… https://t.co/xpLLnvm9o8 February 13, 2019 6:18 pm
  • Great to be at the @PDPorts Northern Powerhouse Export Awards. Exports are an essential part of the success of the… https://t.co/7aKSm85dOc February 7, 2019 7:13 pm
  • Follow us on Twitter

Contact Us

UK Major Ports Group
1st Floor
30 Park Street
London
SE1 9EQ

Tel. +44 (0) 20 7260 1785

Copyright © 2019 · UK Major Ports Group · Built by Blue Pie Media

This site uses cookies: Find out more.