First MoS Environment Forum to be held in March

At a meeting of the European Parliament on February 19th the British MEP announced the date of the first MoS Forum of the Environment, inviting all MEPs to help create the detailed implementation plan to be presented in June 2016.

MoS identifies three priority areas – the MoS Pillars – namely the environment, integration of maritime transport in the logistics chain and maritime safety, traffic management, human element/training.

Each area will be the subject of a dedicated forum beginning with the environment on March 15th in Brussels.

The main focus at the environment forum will be on reducing emissions, in particular SOx; supporting ship and shore-based installations and propulsion systems; logistics and reception facilities in ports and the use of LNG, methanol and de-sulphurised fuels.

Also discussed at the meeting was the integration of maritime transport in the logistics chain, with Michael Cramer MEP, chair of the Transport Committee, and MEP Gesine Meissner giving their support to Mr Simpson over his plans to reduce land transport congestion, increase the use of more efficient and sustainable methods of transport and to improve accessibility to peripheral regions.

A study is underway to help identify development priorities for the future, focusing on trade patterns, ports and infrastructure and technical and administrative challenges.