Record funding to keep EU connected

Member States have until 26 February 2015 to submit proposed projects that will improve connections along nine major transport corridors, which the Commission says taken together, will form a core transport network and act as the “economic life-blood of the Single Market”.

“Transport is fundamental to an efficient European economy, so investing in transport connections to fuel the economic recovery is more important than ever,” said Siim Kallas, Commission vice president, responsible for transport.

The new core network, to be established by 2030, will connect 94 main European ports with rail and road links, 38 key airports, see 15,000km of railway line upgraded to high-speed and reduced bottlenecks.

The commission says in recent years, the global port industry has changed dramatically, with ports becoming increasingly dependent on technological innovations across the entire logistics chain.

The 94 ports affected include Amsterdam, Hamburg, Dubrovnik and Antwerp, as well as other smaller sea ports in the UK, Greece, Romania and France. Their competitiveness could depend on their ability to innovate in terms of technology, organisation and management, the Commission added, and their critical roles as multi-modal hubs require innovative and efficient ways of cross-modal connections.

“Areas of Europe without good transport connections are not going to grow or prosper. Member States need to seize this opportunity to bid for funding to be better connected, more competitive,” Mr Kallas added.