The UK government is confident of securing an exemption for British ports from elements of the EU’s proposed ports regulation, shipping minister John Hayes told guests at the UK Major Ports Group parliamentary reception.
Referring to the EU’s third attempt to introduce the Port Services Directive, he said: “The UK government will not want to adopt anything that damages the vitality of the [ports] industry. We will work with employers, stakeholders, trade unions to resist this at every turn.”
Mr Hayes said that in four months as minister, he had ‘come to appreciate’ the value of the UK ports sector. “As a government, we have slightly undersold the ports industry,” he said. “We can shout even louder about the significance of this sector, the people it employs and the energy, enthusiasm and enterprise that characterises it.”
He also referred to a ‘disconnect’ in UK transport strategy. “It is really important we see our roads policy closely linked to our ports policy. I am determined to achieve better connectivity around ports,” he said.
Source: Port Strategy 21 November 2014
