Loyolas last stand

Training can be conducted at a customer’s premises utilising the company’s plant and office space or at STR’s headquarters using dedicated training rooms and plant at Southampton docks.

Outgoing European transport commissioner, Loyola de Palacio is attempting to reintroduce the notion of cargo self-handling at European ports, in a redrafted directive proposal. However the move has drawn sharp criticism from dockworkers unions, who resist the idea saying it would undermine job security and increase the risk of injury in the port, and from ESPO, the European Sea Ports who say conditions have changed since Brussels made its first attempt to push through deregulation. “Significant port management reforms have taken place and continue in many ports, ” it states. “Several new ports have joined the European Union since May 1, bringing their own characteristics in terms of management and organisation.” Espo represents more than 800 seaports in the EU, Bulgaria, Iceland and Norway.