EC Expands Financing for 'Sustainable' Freight Transport System
October 12, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
The European Commission (EC) announced on Oct. 9 it adopted new rules to broaden the scope of its Marco Polo Programme, which has been supporting sustainable freight transport projects in the European Union (EU) since 2003.
Marco Polo gives financial support to the transport industry in order to reduce road freight on EU's congested roads or to shift it to other more sustainable transport modes, like shipping, rail or inland waterways.
The EC said conditions for participation in Marco Polo were improved to further increase the programme's appeal to industry and will apply to the next call for proposals, due at the beginning of 2010.
The amendments include a general reduction of the minimum thresholds for eligible projects, with a special reduced threshold for projects aiming to shift road freight to inland waterways.
These changes will facilitate access to projects presented by smaller companies, in general, and inland waterways operators, in particular. In addition, it will be easier for these companies to apply for funding, since the existence of a consortium for the application is no longer required.
The period going from the day of application to the signature of the grant agreements has also been shortened, giving beneficiaries quicker feedback from the EC.
Finally, flexibility was added to the deadlines for the completion of project objectives, and modal shift was extended to empty containers and transport vehicles, if effectively taken off the roads.
The projects supported by the first Marco Polo Programme from 2003 until 2006 have resulted in taking 31 billion ton-kilometers from EU roads, the equivalent of nearly 1.5 million trucks traveling from Paris to Berlin.
The budget for the second Marco Polo Programme increased fourfold to €450 million for the period 2007-2013. With this larger budget, the objective of the program is now to shift or avoid a substantial part of the forecasted increase in international road transport, estimated at 20 billion ton-kilometers per year.
Antonio Tajani, EC vice president responsible for transport, said, "The Marco Polo Programme plays a vital role in getting Europe moving. We want to build on that success by making it easier for companies to participate in this process. The rules adopted today can help them change towards sustainable transport services."
For more information, see the Marco Polo web site.
Source: European Commission (EC).