Spain has yet to implement any changes to its stevedoring model, following a judgement by the EU''s Court of Justice some 16 months ago that this is not in line with existing directives.
On April 28, the EU is expected to once again name Spain as being in breach of directives in this key area. Despite officials maintaining regular contact, little progress seems to have so far been made in agreeing a new model. In its defence, Spain can point to the fact that a new government is yet to be sworn in.
Spain's existing Finance Minister is said to be lobbying the EU to prevent a new complaint being made until such a time as the new government takes office.
Recently, José Llorca, president of the National Ports Authority, said: "We are continuing work so that when the government has assumed regulatory powers, the stevedoring system can be adjusted.”
