Ahead of the summer peak season, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) remains concerned about the potential impact that the full deployment of the Entry/Exit System (EES) may have on traffic fluidity at seaports.
The congestion experienced at the Port of Dover during the recent May bank holiday weekend, which resulted in significant delays for passengers and vehicles, highlights the importance of ensuring sufficient operational flexibility when implementing the EES. The temporary relaxation of EES checks by the French authorities, in accordance with the flexibility mechanisms provided under the applicable legal framework completely alleviated the situation, but not until severe congestion affecting passengers, trade and local communities had already occurred.
“The summer period will be the first real stress test of the EES for some of Europe’s major maritime Schengen border-crossing points. The flexibilities foreseen in the Regulation must be activated promptly in exceptional but predictable circumstances, proactively avoiding extreme congestion and disruptions to both commercial and passenger traffic. We must ensure that the long-awaited holiday season does not turn into a period of stress for families and professional drivers alike.” says ESPO’s Secretary General, Isabelle Ryckbost.
Europe’s ports therefore call for the proactive use of the flexibilities foreseen in the applicable legal framework governing the EES checks, particularly where traffic forecasts indicate a high risk of severe congestion, supported by clear guidance for the competent authorities responsible for carrying out EES checks across the Schengen area.
ESPO looks forward to continued cooperation between the European Commission and the competent national authorities to ensure the smooth deployment of the EES while safeguarding passenger traffic fluidity at seaports during the upcoming high season.
Source: ESPO
