Activities of Vera TAX related to 2021/2015(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT towards future-proof inland waterway transport in Europe
Amendments (33)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission communication on the Green Deal and the European Parliament resolution of 15 January 2020 on the European Green Deal,
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
Citation 8
– having regard to the upcoming 2021 revision of the Directive 2014/94/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure3 , _________________ 3 OJ L 307, 28.10.2014, p. 1.
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas European countries have a variety of different fleets of inland vessels, which makes inland waterway transport very convenient and useful for transporting different types and large quantities of cargo to different destinations on either large or small riversver water;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas river cruises, ferries, water taxis and water shuttles should become a cleaner option for tourism and public transport in regions and cities with accessible and navigable rivers, lakes and canals, which would make urban mobility more sustainable and effective;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas inland waterway freight transport together with rail transport plays a crucial role to attain the ambitioned Green Deal’s freight modal shift; whereas the two modes in supply chains should be mainstreamed and made more accessible;
Amendment 54 #
1. Calls on the Commission to take the initiative on green and digital leadership and to build on existing programmes such as NAIADES, which should inspirsupport and incentivise all stakeholders within the waterway transport sector, as well as other transport sectormodes, and in particular rail, to work together towards a sustainable and social future, while supporting the protection of workers and the competitiveness of the sector as a whole;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that the European Green Deal will guide almost all industrial sectors through a sustainable and circular transformation; notes that increased transport volumes and a modal shift will increase the share of inland waterways transport; highlights that coordinating industrial and transport policies in this perspective will contribute to meet the Green Deal goal of increasing the share of transport by inland waterways;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that more investment in updating river and canand upgrading the physical and digital infrastructure of waterways (for example, locks, bridges and interoperable deployment of digital technologies across borders) is key, while respecting the applicable environmental law to prevent its deterioration and to improve its long-term performance, reliability and predictability across borders, as well as to make a modal shift possible, while respecting the applicable environmental law and biodiversity; calls on the Commission to facilitate the exchange of best practices across Member States, especially relating to balancing fauna and flora needs in infrastructure projects;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Considers it important to recognise the unused potential of the smaller waterways to enhance direct competition with the road transport mode, where a detailed and comprehensive (fine-meshed) network needs to be kept up-to-date and navigable in its entirety; calls upon the Commission not to prioritise the large waterways only but include smaller waterways in the digital transition;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Member States to ensure that all relevant stakeholders, including environmental organisations, are engaged in the planning process for new navigation projects and maintenance measures to reach commonly accepted solutions;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that waterway transport needs a reliable, safe and climate-resilient infrastructure network but considers that there is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution for tackling the problem of low water levels as a result of climate changewhich worsen due to climate change effects caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions; deplores, however, that the problems of the inland waterway sector, caused by the low water levels, have not been taken duly into account; and addressing guaranteed navigability is key; notes that several measures to address those problems exist; highlights that those measures should be taken rapidly and in a coherent way, such as adaptation of fleet, infrastructure, logistics and storage concepts, exchange of information and the implementation of digital tools; calls on the Commission and the Member States to draw up action plans to combat low water levels and to coordinate these plans;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the importance of furto tackle ther encouraging and supporting initiatives aimed at the use of alternative fuels and propulsion methods for shipping in accordance wergy transition in an efficient and accessible way while recognising the diverse range in type of vessels (cargo segments, passengers). Calls upon the commission to propose measures to simultaneously retrofith the principle of technological neutrality; points out, in thiscurrent existing fleet with solutions that deliver a significant benefit with regard,s the value of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transitional solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in inland waterway transport; notes that the existing, technically mature vessels and distribution infrastructure now based on LNG could be used for biogas and will therefore be essential in scaling up Bio- LNG as a marine fuelo emission reduction and facilitate the introduction of a new fleet running on zero-emission fuel technologies. Steering to a fast uptake and scale-up of such zero- emission fuel technologies, where the potential of electrification, clean hydrogen and sustainable methanol or green ammonia is recognised as well as market-solutions of flexible distribution & supply services and consolidation potential within hubs should be considered. Re-emphasises that a radical energy transition in the inland waterway transportation sector is needed and key to attain the climate neutral agenda by 2050;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the importance of further encouraging and supporting initiatives aimed at the use of sustainable alternative fuels and alternative propulsion methods for shipping in accordance with the principle of technological neutrality; points out, in this regard, the value of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transitional solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in inland waterway transport; notes that the existing, technically mature vessels and distribution infrastructure now based on LNG could be used for biogas and will therefore be essential in scaling up Bio- LNG as a marine fuel;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Emphasises that alternative fuels must not increase greenhouse gas emissions; recalls that methane emissions from Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered ships have a significant impact on climate change and the Union's climate objectives; points out that among others electrification and hydrogen-based fuels have already demonstrated greening potential in the sector; therefore emphasises that LNG is not a viable alternative fuel for inland navigation and no investments should be made in new LNG vessels for inland navigation;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Highlights the importance of further incentivizing R&D projects relating to zero-emission fuel and technologies for rapid upscaling on fleet level, building up supply chains and economies of scale. Recognises the potential for the inland waterway sector to act as a testbed and catalyst for positive spill over effects to the maritime shipping sector;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights that low-emission and zero-emission alternatives should become more financially attractive than conventional propulsions and that this trend should be accelerated, for example by a realistic, progressively increasing blending percentage based on an impact assessment; Calls on the Commission to set up a subsidy scheme (Contracts for Difference scheme) to help bridge the price gap between fossil fuels and sustainable alternative fuels and technologies;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls upon the commission to assess the possibility of a green certificate (recognition) that results in a viable business case and return of investment for the shippers;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Highlights the need to further digitalise administrative tools on board, such as registration of crew and recording of working and resting times to become a paperless sector, as well as strengthening monitoring on social and employment conditions; emphasises that the lack of proper rest of workers on-board can pose important safety risks; therefore highlights that reliable, real time, digital controlling capacity to read, store and generate data on working and resting times of workers on board is crucial;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Notes that data integration and harmonisation are a key asset management instrument to strengthen the reliability of the mode and therefore enhance mainstreaming the use of the inland waterway mode in supply chains; notes that the data needs to be interconnected with smart infrastructure to allow for efficient planning and communicating with other modes of transportation to facilitate multimodality and synchro-modal systems; notes the potential of integrated data platforms to enhance transparency gains, such as tracking and control as well as efficiency gains, such as route planning and asset management;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the importance of connecting existing digital transport policy frameworks and of making sure that transport data are available through a single point of access in order to achieve efficiency gains in waterborne freight transport; calls on the Commission in this regard to come up with an EU action plan for multimodal transport data sharing, with the goal of achieving a synchromodal, connected and automated transport system by 20350 at the latest;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights that increased automation brings the reality of synchromodal transport in Europe closer; insists therefore on the need for a European Roadmap for Smart and Autonomous Inland Waterway Transport Systems that supports research, the development and successful implementation of smart ships and ports, and digital interoperability, based on CESNI standards related to crew, vessels and information technology;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Recognises the backlog in the sector and therefore calls upon the commission to prioritise digitalisation, harmonisation and quick-wins (becoming a paperless sector) before prioritising a full-on autonomous sector, however, notes that progress in one should not hinder the other;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Subheading 4
Ports: from transshipment point for fossil fuels to as clean energy hubs
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that inland ports maintain existing rail connections and that Member States prioritise the upgrading of their rail freight network in order to ensure intermodal transport flows between inland waterways and rail;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Stresses the importance to tackle fluidity in ports by ensuring enough berth and waiting area capacity for inland vessels;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Stresses the zero-pollution at berth objective to address air quality in ports and their surrounding areas;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5
Subheading 5
Education and training, protection of workers, safety on board, and research and innovation (R&I)
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the need to modernise inland navigation education and training, focusing on the development of green and digital skills, thereby creating attractive jobs for young peowith high social, qualification, safety and security standards to diversify the workforce, particularly regarding young people and gender balance, as well as to increase inflow from other transport sectors; supports, in this regard, further development of CESNI standards to uphold the necessary skills for crew members on board of inland navigation vessels; emphasises the need for compulsory, continuous and regular training schemes for all crewmembers in order to ensure up- and reskilling, optimal labour mobility and safety in the sector; Stresses the needs for the highest safety and health standards in line with the zero- accidents principle; calls, furthermore, for the proper implementation of Directive (EU) 2017/2397 on the recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation by Member States by 17 January 2022;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on the Commission to combat social dumping and ensure that to ensure that crew members are not employed through bogus corporate constructions; calls for adequate social security coverage for all workers on board to tackle avoidance of EU social legislation; highlights the need for unambiguous labour and social security law in the IWT sector; stresses the need to strengthen monitoring schemes on social working conditions on board as well as safeguarding social protection and rights for European and third-country crew members;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Points out the importance of further cooperation and synergies between the different research and innovation initiatives and institutes, by sharing knowledge, data, know- how and best practices and by making available on a public platform an overview of ongoing projects;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses the importance of existing EU funding instruments for greening and digitalising our European inland waterway transport sector, such as the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Horizon Europe and the Structural and Cohesion Funds, and the need to mobilise them to finance investments in sustainable alternative fuels and alternative propulsion methods, the modernisation and the resilience of inland waterways, and adequate ships and infrastructure;
Amendment 227 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the recent Commission evaluation of the 2013 Urban Mobility Package10 ; highlights in this regard that the expected results of the Urban Mobility Plan (UMP), namely a reduction in CO2 and air pollutant emissions, less congestion and fewer road casualties in urban areas, have not consistently materialised across the EU; calls on the Commission, therefore, to encourage Member States and cities to include, where possible, waterborne public transport and local freight distribution, as a safe and effective mode of transport, in their sustainable urban mobility planning (SUMP) and to enhance their urban mobility data collection; stresses, furthermore, the need to include waterborne public transport means in digital mobility platforms, such as Mobility as a Service; _________________ 10Commission staff working document of 24 February 2021 entitled 'Evaluation of the 2013 Urban Mobility Package' (SWD(2021)0047) - https://eur- lex.europa.eu/legal- content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52021SC00 47
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Draws attention to the potential of inland waterways transportation for the last mile in urban green logistics;