European Commission moves to further privatisation of port services (see page 19) have been welcomed by Spanish shippers. However, after eight years of peace in Spanish ports, the proposals have aroused suspicion among international and Spanish unions. The EC's directive on market access to port services, released on February 13, was created "to ensure that providers of port services have access to the market for the provision of port services" including pilotage, towage, mooring, cargo handling and passenger services. The directive suggests that ports moving more than three million tonnes or 500,000 passengers per year should have two companies for each port service. It calls for a time reduction in the length of concessions awarded to ports to stimulate competition.
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