REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL Fifth report on the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime cabotage (2001-2010) {SWD(2014) 143 final}.

Abstract

Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage)1 was adopted on 7 December 1992. The objective of the Regulation has been to gradually implement this freedom, thus creating an internal market for the provision of maritime cabotage services. Pursuant to Article 10 of the Regulation, every two years the Commission shall submit to the Council a report on the implementation of this Regulation and, if appropriate, shall also put forward any necessary proposals. This is the fifth periodical report. Following the consultation of Member States on the content and frequency of reports announced in the previous report2, and in the light of the Council conclusions3, the Commission decided to cover by this report the years 2001- 2010, and later where available. The justification for this approach was twofold. Firstly, the Commission intended to fully assess the impact of maritime cabotage liberalisation in Greece, which was the last Member State to open its market. Secondly, it aimed at analysing the cabotage in Member States which accessed the EU since the adoption of the previous report in 2002 (i.e. enlargements of 1 May 20044, 1 January 20075 and 1 July 20136). This report focuses on countries which have access to the sea7. It has been based on the studies carried by independent consultants8, the results of consultations of stakeholders and Member States undertaken by the Commission in 2009 and the answers from the Member States to a questionnaire addressed to them by the Commission in 2012. This report is divided in four chapters. The first depicts the recent Court's case-law and the legislative developments in Member States and the EFTA countries. The second presents data on employment in maritime cabotage. Due to the lack of reliable and conclusive data this part no longer contains the statistics on the crew costs. The fourth chapter highlights the outcome of the consultations undertaken on the occasion of preparation of this report. Finally, the last chapter contains conclusions and presents the Commission's view regarding future reports. The Commission Staff Working Document accompanying this report presents more detailed statistical data and analysis of certain issues mentioned in this report. This report is presented together with the Commission's interpretative communication on Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92.