European Commission takes action against Balearic ports

PALMA
THE European Commission has decided to initiate court proceedings against Spain for the discriminatory harbour dues laid down by Spanish legislation in breach of Community law.

The Commission found that the harbour dues charged on vessels sailing to or from the Canary Islands, the Balearics or Ceuta and Melilla are lower than those levied on traffic between ports on the Spanish mainland and ports elsewhere in the Community.

Furthermore, dues for vessels sailing between Spanish ports and non-EU ports are not subsidised under Spanish law and are therefore higher than those charged for traffic between Spain and other EU Member States.