MoreEUbudget4transport

“Besides a constant  need  for  investment  in  hard  infrastructure, inland ports  face  multiple (new) societal challenges e.g. digitisation, logistics  4.0, decarbonisation, energy  transition & intermodality. These challenges need to be properly addressed and supported with dedicated CEF grants. I would like to thank the EU for the CEF €1.65 billion allocated to 52 IWT-related projects in 2014-2017, which have been of paramount help for our sector  to adapt, engage and succeed in the new trends of our times”.

Roland Hoerner, President EFIP and CEO Port of Mannheim

“EMPA fully supports the Transport Coalition. We need to allocate more EU budget in order to optimise infrastructure and thus contribute to the efficiency, safety and security of European transport”.

Stein Inge Dahn, EMPA President

“More EU budget for transport is crucial for the EU to show its added value where national governments are limited to a ‘national infrastructure scope’. North Sea Port, the cross border, recently merged ports of Ghent (BE) and Vlissingen & Terneuzen (NL), is an inspiration to stakeholders in Europe to cooperate across borders and bridge missing transport links. We are grateful for EU support to several cross border projects in our port area via CEF grants promoting sustainable modes, e.g. New Terneuzen Lock or rail infrastructure in the Ghent-Terneuzen port area (Rail Ghent Terneuzen).”

Jan Lagasse and Daan Schalck, CEOs North Sea Port

“More European budget for transport has a positive and direct return on investment on EU jobs, growth and climate goals. In 2016, ECF has published a report classifying and partially quantifying the benefits of cycling in the EU. The report found that every year, cycling in 28 EU Member States creates economic benefits of EUR 513 billion, that is more than EUR 1000 per inhabitant. It demonstrates that the benefits of cycling arise not only in specific, isolated fields like transport or environmental policy, but also in many other areas where the EU has competences, such as industrial policy, employment, health and social policy."

Bernhard Ensink, Secretary General ECF

“We need to get rid of "blind austerity" to get Europe fully back on track! The investment needs over the period 2021-2030 can be summed up to about EUR 500 billion  for the TEN-T core network and about EUR 1.5 trillion including the TEN-T comprehensive network. The investment necessary to develop the 9 Core Network Corridors until 2030 could generate some EUR 4,500 billion of cumulated GDP over that period, which means 1.8% additional GDP in 2030 compared to 2015 and around 13,000,000 job-years created. Last, but not least, the completion of the Core Network Corridors is expected to lead to an overall reduction of CO2 emissions of about 7 million tons between 2015 and 2030."

Jean-Louis Marchand, President FIEC

“By making it easier to bring people together, more advanced transport systems can contribute to the EU’s success. Via increased funding for innovative mobility projects, we can deliver on our promises to let EU citizens and businesses thrive.”

Pier Eringa, President EIM & CEO ProRail

“Multraship, as a leading member of the maritime towage industry, has invested heavily for many years in maintaining and improving its rapid-response capability which is vital to strengthening the profile of the European transport and logistics sector. But the future of our industry is also partly dependant on the political will to support and encourage long-term projects to improve port infrastructure and hinterland connectivity. This will require significant CEF funding, and it is vital that this is included in the next EU multiannual framework.”

Leendert Muller, MULTRASHIP managing director and ETA Chairman

“The agricultural commodities’ mass transport (bulk and containers) to main ports is a key lever for France’s agriculture competitiveness. It also improves the carbon footprint of the food and agriculture industry. For example, the Bray Nogent project on the Seine River would reduce the greenhouse gas emissionof up to 27,000 trucks per year and traffic congestion on the roads around Paris. We need a strong EU Policy and Budget to modernise railway and river logistics for EU agriculture.”

Jean-Michel Soufflet, CEO, SOUFFLET GROUP

“The challenge ports everywhere face now is to implement projects which often are financially unattractive to the port authority and even less attractive to external investors but which are essential for wider societal and economic reasons. Some ports are financially strong enough to finance such projects and accept the low financial returns.  Other ports are challenged to implement projects which are essential but are entirely beyond their means. The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is the essential means to resolve this conundrum.”

Eamonn O’Reilly, CEO PORT OF DUBLIN & Chairman of ESPO

"Urban Mobility is a crucial challenge for our cities today and in the future. We need safe, secure and environmental friendly mobility solutions for all citizens in order to safeguard the quality of life in our urban areas. EU should continue to work with cities in this field so that we jointly reach our overall goal of sustainable societies across Europe." 

Johan Nyhus, Deputy Mayor, CITY OF GOTHENBURG

“In 2015, the Société du Grand Paris (SGP) benefited from EU transport funding for the Greater Paris Express feasibility studies. As future populations, activities and international exchanges within metropolitan areas increase, SGP is convin-ced urban nodes priority must be strengthened post 2020 CEF. Optimal function-ing of the network requires full integration and interoperability with urban nodes: an essential condition for the development of sustainable EU transport”

Philippe Yvin, Président du Directoire, SOCIETE DU GRAND PARIS

"Cities and regions are the ones dealing with air quality, pollution and liveability. The EU should invest more in sustainable mobility solutions like cyling, e-mobility and our innovative trolley buses."

Geert Ritsema, Vice Mayor, CITY OF ARNHEM