ESPO passenger committee launches code of practice

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has decided to work on the development of a code of practice for both cruise and ferry ports. The aim is to gather practical experience from all these ports and pro-actively set out recommendations for them as regards policy applied and services available. At the same time, this exercise is an active contribution from the port sector to the Commission’s Blue Growth Initiative.

This initiative was launched in Riga in May 2014 by ESPO’s passenger committee which was set up in 2010. The Committee works in close cooperation with different cruise port organisations: Cruise Europe, Cruise Norway and MedCruise.

Jens Skrede, managing director CE, commented: "This is an excellent initiative which Cruise Europe endorses without reservation. We are committed to taking an active role in the development of the code which will benefit not only our 115 port members but all those involved." The Organisation is also willing to engage in constructive debate with associations representing cruiselines or other industry stakeholders.

“More and more European ports are getting involved in cruise business. At the same time ferry traffic remains an important market for different European ports. Freight and cruise/passenger ports must respond to completely different needs, and in many cases both functions have to be combined. I am pleased that within ESPO we can have a closer look at how port authorities could face the challenges of this important and fast growing sector,” says Eeva Hietanen, chairman of ESPO’s passenger committee.

“The experience with ESPO’s Green Guide and the Code of Practice on Societal Integration of Ports, shows that this bottom-up approach works and that it is one of the best ways to dive into an issue that is becoming more challenging for European ports, spread good examples and motivate others to do better. I am convinced that the work of ESPO’s passenger committee will lead to another very useful tool for European port authorities,” adds ESPO secretary general Isabelle Ryckbost.