EC ENDS REGULATION OF INLAND WATERWAY FLEET CAPACITY

EC ENDS REGULATION OF INLAND WATERWAY FLEET CAPACITY    The European Commission has ended the system of capacity regulation of inland waterway vessels in Europe, effective April 29.
   Inland waterway companies wishing to bring a new vessel into service will no longer have to pay a penalty or scrap a certain level of existing tonnage, the Brussels-based body said.
   “This marks the end of inland waterway market regulation which has lasted over 10 years and has made it possible to bring about a real improvement in the Community inland waterway fleet,” said EC Vice-President Loyola de Palacio.
   The European Commission wants to promote inland waterway transport and other more environmentally friendly modes of transport as alternatives to road transport.
   In future, capacity control measures in inland waterways vessels will only be possible “in the event of a serious market crisis,” the EC said.