FEPORT, the European Representation of Maritime Terminal Operators and Stevedores, has chosen Gunther Bonz, Executive Director of EUROGATE, as its new President. He succeeds Ms Battistello of Contship Italia, who took up the post with great commitment over the last five years.

Ms Battistello looks back on her Presidency as a period in which good communication between the Commission and the port business has clarified many issues and resulted in prodigious policy. She hopes that this constructive cooperation may also be continued under the leadership of her successor. She emphasises that in times of crisis, joint targets are particularly important for both Commission and industry. Moreover, at this point in time, it is essential that European legislation should take into account that business still has to recover from the crisis.

Mr Bonz projected his ideas for the future during FEPORT’s General Assembly. According to him, it is clear that the crisis only confirmed that competition is heavy in the port sector both in and between ports. Terminal operators have to invest accordingly while taking the related commercial risk. Within the limits of the law, the lease contract reflects this mutual risk-taking partnership between port authorities and terminal operators. The contract conditions are therefore determined between the contracting parties, which should also remain so for the future. An extra level of EU legislation on concessions seems not to add value to the market of port operations. The discussion on state aid should focus on the impact on the market in order to make the best solution prevail. Social dialogue is the preferred road ahead for addressing training, safety, and perhaps more.

Mr Bonz is convinced that FEPORT has to play a key role in the progress of some EU files. Within this cooperative spirit, he would like to continue working along the same lines as Ms Battistello.

---

---