EU OKs UK aid for short-sea shipping

EU OKs UK aid for short-sea shipping    The European Union’s executive branch approved a British plan to reduce truck traffic and associated air pollution by subsidizing short-sea shipping and inland waterway freight operations.
   The British government plans to reimburse water-borne transportation providers up to 30 percent of their total operating cost for a period of three years to help encourage the growth of river, coastal and English Channel freight operations. The aid is available to any new or existing company within the European Union that commits to move a certain amount of freight each year. The European Commission ruled that the grants do not violate EU competition rules.
   The program will run for six years. The United Kingdom has set aside '20 million ($35.4 million) for the program and a sister grant program to encourage the development of freight facilities.