EC calls for third short sea funding proposals

Successful projects, says the EC, should “fight congestion on European roads and improve the environmental performance of the freight transport system”.

The Marco Polo programme aims to promote services that shift freight off road and on to short-sea shipping, rail and inland waterways.

Only projects that demonstrate they can survive beyond any initial European Union funding have a chance for a grant.

A total of ¢62m ($78.4m) is available this year, up ¢2m ($2.5m) on 2008, while funding intensity has been raised from ¢1 to ¢2 per 500 tonne-kilometres shifted off the roads.

The full call text including information on how to apply for a grant is available on the Marco Polo website: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/marcopolo/calls/2009_en.htm