EUROPE

Port-Net delegates discuss finance

19 years ago

The complexities of securing, and working with, European Union funding were highlighted at a Port-Net workshop on port financing, hosted by the Port of Tallinn. Tallinn itself has gained EU funding for a number of key projects but Riina Palu, responsible for European affairs at the port, said: “ The system of EU money is so complicated.&rdquo

The Estonian port is a partner in a proposed “Motorways of the Sea” (MoS) project entitled “Functional Transport Link from the North Sea to Russia through Muuga and Paldiski South harbours.”

The Port of Zeebrugge is a partner in the MoS cooperation and networking project, which is looking for opportunities to serve Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus via the North Sea and also looking further to links with Asia, South America and the Middle East, said Ms Palu. Port-Net, an EU project with 20 partners from 12 European countries and Russia, has held a series of workshops, studies and best practice tours as part of its objective to identify and tackle the main challenges faced by European ports, create better operational structures and capacities and achieve the best possible regional integration of ports.