The new regulation establishing a European Maritime Single Window environment (EMSWe) will help simplify administration and enable supply chain efficiency, said the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO).
Following an agreement reached on 7 February between the European Parliament (EP) and the European Council (EC), the new EMSWe framework repeals the current Reporting Formalities Directive and provides for the creation of a EMSWe dataset, harmonised National Single Windows and the application of the reporting-only-once principle.
“We see the agreement as a real breakthrough on this very technical but important matter for the maritime and logistics sector. The outcome provides clear engagements towards administrative simplification and a more efficient supply chain,” said Isabelle Ryckbost, secretary general of ESPO, which last month spoke out against an EU Level Access Point Interface.
"We see the agreement as a real breakthrough on this very technical but important matter for the maritime and logistics sector. The outcome provides clear engagements towards administrative simplification and a more efficient supply chain,” said Isabelle Ryckbost, secretary general of ESPO, which last month spoke out against an EU Level Access Point Interface.
“We are very happy that the new framework is recognizing the bottom-up efforts and investments already made and underway by European ports towards creating a one-stop shop for both the reporting formalities and all other services rendered to stakeholders in the logistics chain. The agreement is thus fully compliant with the ambitious digitalisation agenda of many European ports,” Ms Ryckbost added.
Supporting key elements
ESPO said it supports the decisions to ensure that the same data sets can be reported in the same way; for EU Member States to be able to ask for additional data for a limited period in exceptional circumstances without needing EC permission; and the decision for the regulation to build on the existing reporting systems, the National Single Windows and Port Community Systems (PCS).
It further supports technological neutrality as the basis for the European Maritime Single Window environment; and the requirement for Member States to designate a competent national authority for the National Single Windows with a clear legal mandate as this government dimension gives it the competence to store and redistribute data to the respective authorities.
The agreement reached must now be further formalised by the EC and EP and is expected to apply from 2025.
