Following a year of substantial unrest linked to the European Commission’s demand that Spain introduce substantial changes to the structure of its stevedoring legislation to enable competition to flourish, an in-principle agreement had been struck between port unions and the owners’ association Anesco.

However, the port authority of the north-western port of Vigo has denounced the pact to the Commission, claiming that its implementation will “infringe free competition”.

According to Enrique López Veiga, president of the port authority, he has very grave concerns as to where the agreement will take stevedoring in the port. He has therefore decided to take a step forward and has put in writing his complaint to the authorities in Brussels. He emphasised that he believes that Spain runs the risk of being further financially sanctioned, if it goes ahead.

According to López Veiga, Anesco and the unions are seeking to establish an agreement that does not conform to the Royal Decree on stevedoring reform agreed by the Spanish parliament.