Spanish stevedoring body ANESCO and port unions face the sting of fines totalling in excess of €7m from the country’s competition authorities in response to a deal agreed between the two on new stevedoring structures.

ANESCO will bear the brunt of the fines, shouldering a fine of €6.19m, with the remainder to be levied on the port unions. Unión General de Trabajadores and Confederación Sindical de Comisiones Obreras are expected to each have to pick up €300,000, but the largest union, Coordinadora, could pay just €4,000, according to reports.

ANESCO is due to meet at the Port of Valencia on November 29 to lay the foundations for its 2019-2022 Strategic Plan for the sector. It will also discuss the new stevedoring reform, which it is analysing with Puertos del Estado.

Separately, the Plataforma de Inversores en Puertos Españoles has met representatives of the Port of Valencia to discuss current needs in Spanish ports, particularly in respect of management. This is the first of a number of meetings to be held with major port authorities around the country to explore worries expressed by concessionaires.