Trade unions and management at the Port of Belfast were, on Wednesday, January 18th, united in welcoming the European parliament's rejection of proposals to liberalise port services across the EU.

The parliament voted 532-120 against the draft legislation. The legislation was seeking to open cargo handling to competition in ports where loading and unloading is currently run by monopoly handlers.

The bill would also have allowed ship crews to handle cargo themselves on EU routes.
Dock workers clashed with police during a match through Strasbourg on Monday, January 16th. They smashed windows of the EU legislature in a protest over the proposals.

Management at the Port of Belfast argued that if passed, the directive would have impeded its plans for a £140 million investment programme over the next five years.

Chief Executive Officer Roy Adair said the company was "delighted" with the vote. He highlighted the bad effect which legislation would have meant to the industry.

"Despite its laudable objective, the legislation was designed very much with continental issues in minds and its 'one size fits all' approach would have been detrimental to the UK ports industry which already enjoys an open and competitive port services market," he said.

Importers and exporters contend, however, that ports are overcharging for cargo handling and would have welcomed change of the rules.