FEPORT wants support for private operators

The White Paper ‘2017, 2018 and beyond’ was handed to Commissioner Bulc on 8 December at the second Stakeholders’ conference organised by FEPORT in Brussels.

Gunther Bonz, FEPORT president, said: “Private port operators are ready to continue to invest but they need a clear and stable framework including fair and transparent governance rules and a real protection from risks of distortion of competition.”

He added that taking risks is all part of the business but this should not add up to other risks deriving from a non-stable and non-consistent regulatory framework.

“If the burden of constraints becomes too heavy, then private investment in ports and beyond will be postponed to the detriment of the European transport sectors,” he said.

Today, private port operators are facing big challenges. In the container sector, the ever-increasing alliances are seeking to leverage their position to drive down handling costs, while at the same time expecting port operators to invest in the necessary equipment to handle bigger ships.

Mr Bonz said that this situation is becoming unsustainable in a context where the regulatory framework for ports is constantly changing, be it at national or European level.

The bottom line is that private port operators cannot continue to invest if the returns from investing in and operating terminals are not sufficient and if the rules applicable to port investments are constantly reinterpreted.

“We are confident that the European Commission and Member States will hear our call as it is a legitimate request that will benefit not only to private port operators but also to the whole maritime logistics chain,” he concluded.