Simplification of formalities for ships travelling between EU ports (“Blue Belt”)

FACT SHEET NO.: Cat-No.4 / Subcat-No.4.4-2

4. Internal market

4.4 Internal Market (intramodal): maritime

Simplification of formalities for ships travelling between EU ports (“Blue Belt”)

The 'Blue Belt' is a concept for European maritime transport without barriers. Nowadays, administrative formalities (mainly documentary controls and customs) concerning maritime transport between EU ports is still considered equal as going beyond EU borders. As a consequence, it is requiring extensive administrative procedures (e.g. veterinary and plant protection controls, customs, port formalities). These administrative procedures were identified as one of the key bottlenecks for further expansion of maritime transport. In order to improve the competitiveness of maritime transport it is necessary to remove administrative procedures for intra-European sea transportation. The TPM 'Blue Belt' aims to fully use the potential of European maritime transport. [1], [3], [5]

- Commission regulation (EU) No 177/2010: customs procedures will be facilitated for certain companies. [6]
- Directive 2010/65/EU: on reporting formalities for ships arriving in and/or departing from ports within the EU. [7]

- The main objective is to reduce administrative procedures for sea transport (cargo and passengers) between European ports. In a 'Blue Belt', intra-European maritime transport can follow fast-tracks procedures in order to increase the competitiveness of maritime transport compared to road, rail and air transport.
Second level objectives are:
- Establish a framework and strengthened cooperation between EU Ports
- Increase the transparency on ports' financing [1]

- It is the TPMs' objective to develop maritime transport. EU Policy documents do not state whether this should or could lead to a different choice of transport. Most likely only air transport can suffer from this TPM while air transportation still requires extensive administrative procedures. IWW, road and rail transport can benefit from increasing demands for hinterland transportation. [4]

- All EU Ports are involved so there will be no difference between EU ports. [1]
- Short distance maritime transport will benefit most from reduced administrative procedures, because time consuming procedures have a higher impact on short journeys. [5]

[1] European Commission (2012): Evaluation of the Blue Belt pilot project, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union
[2] European Maritime Safety Agency (2011): Annual Report 2010, Lisbon: European Maritime Safety Agency
[3] European Commission (2011): Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union
[4] European Commission (2007): An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union
[5] European Commission (2007): The EU's freight transport agenda - Boosting the efficiency, integration and sustainability of freight transport in Europe, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union
[6] European Commission (2010): Commission Regulation (EU) No 177/2010, Brussels. In: Official Journal of the European Union
[7] European Parliament (2010): Directive 2010/65/EU, Brussels: In: Official Journal of the European Union
[8] European Parliament (2004): Regulation (EC) No 789/2004, Brussels: In: Official Journal of the European Union