North Sea Commission Transport group
In-depth report at Executive Committee,
Brussels 21 October
Chair Preben Friis-Hauge Region South Dennmark
and Adviser Jon Halvard Eide, Vest-Agder (Nor)
Key issues in Work Plan 2014 - 2015
•
Ensure good access to TEN-T Core for peripheral
and maritime regions
–
–
Arguments and statements to TEN-T policy
Work to ensure that the NSC is represented in corridor forums
to be established for the implementation of relevant Core
Network Corridors (NS-Baltic, Scandinavian-Mediterranean
and NS-Mediterranean
Support measures and incentives to promote clean
transport incl. clean shipping
•
•
•
Compile and disseminate existing good practice
Developing or capitalizing on results from relevant EU-funded
projects.
Explore the conditions for and consequences of implementing the
IMO & EU Sulphur Directive in the NSR
EU policy context – TEN-T
TEN-T policy aims to close the gaps between Member States' transport
networks, remove bottlenecks and bridge missing links that still hamper
the smooth functioning of the internal market and overcome technical
barriers
TEN-T guidelines adopted in December 2013: from patchwork of
isolated projects to integrated network.
• A Core network with the most important links and hubs to be
completed by 2030
• A Comprehensive network with the rest of the transport system to be
completed by 2050
• 26 bn Euro under Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) have been
dedicated for the implementation of TEN-T – the major part
allocated to the core network
TEN-T continued
• The implementation of the TEN-T will be pushed ahead by the
establishment of nine core network corridors
• A European Coordinator for each of the nine core network corridors,
and for Motorways of the Sea (MoS) and Rail Traffic Management
(ERTMS) have been nominated
• The Coordinators are assisted by the Corridor Fora which gather the
Member States and relevant stakeholders involved, such as
infrastructure managers, port authorities and regional authorities, as
well as representatives of civil society, such as the CPMR and the NSC
• Detailed studies for each corridors will provide the scientific basis for
the definition of corridor work plans that will guide and coordinate
the investments to be made over the next year.
TEN-T Core network corridors
Key issues in Work Plan 2014 - 2015
Ensure good access to TEN-T Core for peripheral and
maritime regions
•
The Transport group has provided arguments and statements to the
TEN-T policy to influence the definition of the core network, to
strengthen links between the comprehensive and the core network,
and to upgrade the role of MoS.
– All nominated NSC member regions (Örebro, Västra Götaland
Schleswig-Holstein and South Denmark) were invited to the third
meeting of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Core Network Corridor
Forum in Brussels on 01 - 02.10.2014. Nord-Pas de Calais region
will attend a similar meeting for the North Sea-Mediterranean
corridor
• A group member from Aberdeenshire attends a meeting on the
strategic planning for TEN-T Core Network Corridors' in Brussels, 21
Support measures and incentives to promote clean
transport
Compile and disseminate existing good practice
• Aberdeenshire Council is in the process of screening of a big
European database on best practice in sustainable passenger
transport and some 50 practices will eventually be made available
on the NSC home page as part of a "tool kit" for the benefit of the
member regions
Explore the option of developing or capitalizing on results from relevant
EU-funded projects.
• The Transport group is monitoring a number of Interreg projects
such as GreCor (Green Corridor) and TenTans (regional aspects of
TEN-T)
• Members of the group are developing projects ideas for the new
Interreg North Sea Region Programme
• The group will also start to explore the potential for transport
projects under Horizon 2020
Clean shipping – the international & EU policy
context
•
The EU adopted a Directive in 2012 imposing a drastic reduction
in sulphur emissions from ships from 2015/2020, following a
decision by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2008

The North Sea, the English Channel and the Baltic Sea have
been designated as a Special Emission Control Areas where the
strictest standards are to be implemented already from 2015

Other obligations regarding the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx)
might come into effect on 1 January 2016 and measures on
greenhouse gases could take effect in 2020 or 2025

Considerable investments from both port authorities and ship
owners in alternative supply facilities and engines are required in
order to fulfill the Sulphur directive
Clean shipping cont.
• High adaptation costs for ship owners and ports might transfer
goods back to the roads – contrary to EU transport policy objectives
• Lack of level playing field between sea basins as some must comply
5 years before the others
• Challenges are foreseen with efficient monitoring of compliance with
the Directive
• A European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF) has been
established by the EU Commission to ease the implementation of
the Directive. The NSC member region Nord-Pas de Calais is
representing the CPMR in the ESSF
CPMR and NSC actions on clean shipping
• The Transport group is exploring the conditions for and
consequences of implementing the IMO & EU Sulphur Directive in
cooperation with Interreg projects and the CPMR
• The group has been shadowing and disseminating results from the
Clean North Sea Shipping project, and has started to study how the
results of the project could be applied to support policy and project
development
• The NSC is part of the CPMR Dunkirk Declaration from 2013,
requesting a flexible application of the SulphurDirective and
sufficient financial support for the industry to adapt
• The group is following the work of the European Sustainable
Shipping Forum through the CPMR Transport working group and
NSC member region Nord-Pas de Calais