The Department of Merchant Shipping has issued a circular to owners, charterers, operators and managers of Cypriot ships that outlines the European Union's Motorways of the Sea programme and the financial support available under the Connecting Europe Facility, which may co-finance up to 30% of eligible costs for works or up to 50% of eligible costs of studies (including pilot activities), together with details of the application procedure to be followed.
Motorways of the sea consist of short sea routes, ports, associated maritime infrastructure and equipment and facilities, as well as simplified administrative formalities enabling short sea shipping or sea-river services between at least two ports – including hinterland connections – aimed at creating a barrier-free European maritime transport space and facilitating maritime freight transport. Priority will be given to projects and studies that address the environmental challenges faced by the maritime sector – in particular, implementation of the requirements of Annex VI of the International Maritime Organisation's International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships and the EU Sulphur Directive (2012/33/EC). These include projects for the use of alternative fuels, the reduction of emissions and the development of reception facilities for oil and other waste. The costs of upgrading vessels to reduce their environmental impact and converting vessel propulsion systems to more environmentally friendly fuels are eligible costs under the programme.
Originally published by International Law Office.
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