The European dimension

The application process is complex and time-consuming and, to put it bluntly, the project must fit the funding scheme – not the other way round. While funding might be unavailable for the bricks and mortar of a new container terminal, it might be available for a feasibility study into such a facility.

“There is some European money available for port projects. It does come down to making sure your project or proposal fits into Europe’s priorities – the challenge is understanding what those priorities are,” says Richard Morton, managing director of maritime consultancy Jura Associates.

“If you are looking for big money out of Europe, you will be asked questions such as whether there is sufficient road and rail access and what numbers of jobs will be created. You may be dealing with people in the European DGs who are not necessarily experts in the ports or transport sector.

“It can become a real morass. Generally only the large port operators have representative offices in Brussels – for others, how do they find out about all these things? Generally they would find somebody who has a knowledge of European funding.”

In particular, smaller ports need support in this – and an added “hurdle” is that applications must be submitted in English.

“Many ports need somebody either to help them through the process or, if necessary, to say don’t bother, don’t waste your time.”

In many cases ports might need to be working in partnerships, probably with local authorities and local infrastructure providers, or in cooperation with other ports, to qualify for any EU funding. Different levels of funding are given – for example, the Dryport project is 50% funded by the EU, with the partner ports and organisations matching this.

In some of the “new” EU states, 85% of a project could be EU-funded, with the applicant making their 15% contribution in staff time devoted to the project.