Date: 05-06.09.2013

Place: KLAIPEDA, LITHUANIA

Website: WWW.BPOPORTS.COM

Baltic Port Organization met in Klaipeda to discuss EU port policy, market development and consequences of new environmental regulations.

Very important issue for the development of the Baltic ports is the knowledge about the future market conditions. That’s why challenges that Ports meet are the topic of the Conference organized by the Baltic Ports Organization, on the 5th - 6th September in Klaipeda. 

The EU Commission proposed a draft regulation on Ports, which included two main chapters - market access to ports and financial transparency in the use of public funding. Expected results will bring large benefits: at least € 10 billion in savings and increased port investments, reduction of hinterland congestion and creation of jobs. The EU will support a long-term growing economic sector by comprehensive set of actions from TEN-T to the Social Dialogue between port’s employees and employers.

Dimitrios Theologitis, Director General for Mobility and Transport DG MOVE, European Commission, informed, why the commission started the review recently. We are going through difficult time, so it is a part of structure forms that EU to confront the promoting economic crisis. It’s a part of EU growth economy strategy. Also this is very crucial to support exporters, he said. The EU Commission has proposed the “metro” map with the TEN-T Core Networks and Corridors. But the first step for this aim is a good communication, which should integrate ports in the TEN-T corridors and use CEF for ports and hinterland connections developing. Baltic ports presented their view on the port policy. In general ports are in favor in transparency and market access to port services. Some of the ports are afraid of overregulation the port market and too strong control of authorities regarding the port prizing.

The global trends, market conditions and situation in the Baltic economies were presented by Gitanas Nauseda from SEB Lithuania. Analysis for 2013 for Euro Zone, is not very optimistic, as it remains the weakest part of the global economy, but luckily, the next year is supposed to bring improvement in real GDP. In the European Union the fastest growth is still noticed in the Baltic Sea Region, for example Lithuania will  sustain its moderate pace growth in the nearest years. Also Euro zone is expending in the Baltic Region. Lithuania is to introduce Euro in 2015. 

During  the conference, the port market outlooks was presented by industry experts and operators. In container market, according to information Steve Wray of Ocean Shipping Consultants presented at the conference, strong and sustained growth is expecting for the Baltic region to 2025. The next issue is increased number of direct calls and a likely reduction in transshipment intensity. Increasing expansion and accelerating trend to switch to larger vessels are two major trends characterizing the development of the global fleet. For deep-water terminals it means the competition will increase by 2016. The outlook on the ro-ro sector’s isn’t on the other hand positive. The network density is supposed to be decreasing.

During the conference, XVI General Assembly of the Baltic Ports Organization took place. BPO members accepted its new strategy for the years 2014-2016. One of the BPO aims is to represent the interest of the Baltic Sea ports towards EU institutions and other relevant organizations. The other goal is to exchange of experiences in the port sector by organizing dedicated conferences or seminars in the area of port operation and management. In the new strategy BPO puts an emphasis on the development of the small and semi-sized ports. Organization wants to help them in regional understanding and mutual exchange of experience.

We learned from the discussion at the Conference that port market outlook in the Baltic region is rather positive, except ro-ro sector. Whole maritime sector will be facing the environmental challenges associated with new sulphur emission rules, sewage discharge from passenger ships, etc….Those new rules will have a real impact on the market but it is very difficult to predict those consequences – said Bogdan Ołdakowski, BPO Secretary General. 

Almost 150 people attended two days conference, among them the representatives of the Baltic Ports, the EU Commission, governments and the rest of ports industry.

BPO & Port of Klaipeda would like to cordially invite you to attend the upcoming Baltic Ports Conference.

The conference will be focused on Challenges for the Baltic ports in future market conditions. Moreover during the conference there will be two panel sessions. On the first day: Impact of Port Package on port management and operation and on a second day: How ports should be prepared for new environmental challenges?

The conference is taking place in Klaipeda on 5-6 September 2013 in Europa City Aurora Hotel.

Whole event will gather not only top executives from all major Baltic ports, but also speakers representing governments, politics, academia, transport sector, media, and etc.

More info at: http://www.bpoports.com/583.html