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Sep 03, 2009 A word from ESPO 1 September is not only the start of a new school year for many children, it also marks a fresh start for EU lobbyists after the August intermezzo during which the otherwise buzzing Schuman quarter in Brussels traditionally becomes an eerie ghost town. The coming months promise some political excitement though, with a newly elected Parliament flexing its muscles, in preparation of the screening of the new College of Commissioners that is supposed to take office after Christmas. Gradually, Member States are revealing their candidates but a lot of uncertainties still remain, not in the least about the Commission’s President. Although national governments have given their unanimous support to incumbent President José Manuel Barroso, MEPs – especially liberals, socialists and greens – are more sceptical. Group leaders will decide on 10 September whether a vote on the Commission President will still take place this month or will be further postponed.

Meanwhile, Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi announced that incumbent Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani will certainly be Italy's candidate-Commissioner. Mr. Tajani reportedly said on several occasions that he would be interested in keeping the transport portfolio. Continuity would indeed make sense, given that the Commission Vice-President, who unexpectedly took over from Frenchman Jacques Barrot in June 2008, launched a number of ambitious programmes, such as the Future Transport Strategy and the review of the Trans-European Transport Networks.

And what will the new institutional framework bring for ports? So far Commissioner Tajani has kept a low profile in this field for which the ground was well-prepared by his predecessor. The real hurdles are however still to be taken, for instance with regard to State aid guidelines and the integration of ports in the TEN-T. These delicate matters will stir up strong national opinions which will require considerable political leadership at EU level.

Meanwhile, we continue in ESPO to work steadily on our own agenda. Preparations have started on a new major “Fact Finding Report” on port governance in Europe which is expected to be issued next year and progress is made with a code of practice on concessions. Synergies in the field of logistics and hinterland transport are being developed with our partners in EFIP. In co-operation with the EcoPorts Foundation a review of port environmental performance is being finalised and an ESPO code of practice on city-port integration will result from the co-operation project “People around Ports” that was initiated in spring.

The latter project is closely linked to the Award on Societal Integration of Ports which ESPO will be issuing for the first time in November this year. The call for proposals closed end of July and the result is most encouraging. 26 ports of very different background, size and geographical roots have sent in an application. The full list of candidatures can be consulted on our website.

We are obviously very pleased with this result. Societal integration of ports is still in a pioneering stage but it is clear that more and more ports are becoming aware that it should be part and parcel of good port governance, also – and perhaps even especially – in times of economic slowdown. The international Award jury, chaired by John B Richardson, former Head of the Maritime Task Force at the European Commission, will meet 23 September to make a first evaluation of the applications. Second meeting is scheduled on 4 November and the winner of the first ESPO Award will be announced that same evening during a ceremony at the Brussels’ Town Hall.

In short, an autumn full of political drama and competitive excitement awaits us. ESPO News will faithfully keep you abreast with all the latest developments.