DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (078) issued by The Government News Network
on 9 July 2007
The Department for
Transport today called on interested parties to bid for funds to
finance projects in the North Sea region as part of the EU's
plan to establish "Motorways of the Sea".
Motorways of the Sea will be key routes between EU member states
and, sometimes, neighbouring third countries. They are intended to
encourage high-quality regular services that can be combined with
other modes of transport to provide efficient alternatives to
road-only transport.
This stage, the first in a two-stage process, will close on 15
October 2007.
Following the close of this first stage, all UK bids will be
evaluated by the Department and any other relevant North Sea
countries' administrations. They will decide which bids will
receive the necessary national government support to be eligible
in the bidding process when the European Commission calls for bids
for Trans European Network - Transport funding in December 2007.
The Commission will make the final decision on which projects
will receive funding.
Notes For Editors
1. The European Commission introduced the concept of Motorways
of the Sea in its 2001 White Paper (see
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/white_paper/documents/doc/lb_texte_complet_en.pdf )
2. Full details on how to prepare and submit bids can be found
on the Department's website at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/waterfreight/motorseaprojects
3. Motorways of the Sea funds are available for sea-related
infrastructure projects in ports or which involve direct land and
sea access to them. Qualifying projects could also include
electronic logistics management systems, facilities to ensure and
enhance safety and security, facilities to simplify administrative
and customs procedures and facilities for icebreaking and dredging operations.
Start-up aid for shipping lines does not qualify for funding.
4. The same call is being published in other North Sea countries
as a joint initiative of governments and authorities in the
Belgium and the Flanders Region, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the
Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom, as well as European
port and ship owners associations.
5. Total EU funding available for all Motorways of the Seas
projects, across all qualifying states will be E310m (£209m) in
the period 2007-2012. In addition to the North Sea region, other
regional groups covering the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean, Spain
and France and the Atlantic will also bid for a share of these funds.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk