EPCSA Conference on Port Process Simplification
Two years after its official launch, the European Port Community Systems Association (ECPSA) will host a conference focusing on the simplification of port processes and trade facilitation. What are the key strands of European Union policy relating to port processes? How are they viewed from the differing perspectives of the European Commission and the shipping and ports community? And what is needed next to drive forward trade facilitation within and beyond Europe? These thorny topics will be tackled in presentations by a series of speakers and in panel discussions at the conference…
Shippers Oppose Green Fuel Taxes
Shipper groups say the introduction of green fuel taxes will not reduce emissions. They claim that shipping lines will not switch to more environmentally-friendly fuels or more efficient ships, they will simply add yet another surcharge to the rates they charge their customers. Most of the talk from the shipping sector and governmental organizations involves the establishment of a levy or tax on fuel that is proportionate to the level of emissions from each ship. The way to reduce such charges would be to score well on the recently-approved Energy Efficiency Design Index for ships, as agreed by the International Maritime Organization. Shippers, including the Global Shippers Forum, the British Shippers’ Council and the European Shippers’ Council (ESC) say this strategy will not work.
