Transport as a key factor for the integration of the Western Balkans in the EU Unlocking potentials of the Adriatic-Ionian macro region, Ancona, 02.07.2015 Mate Gjorgjievski, Transport Law expert, SEETO
SEETO Regional Cooperation South East Europe Transport Observatory SEETO 2004 - Memorandum of Understanding on the development of the South East Europe Core Regional Transport Network BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ALBANIA MACEDONIA MONTENEGRO SERBIA KOSOVO* EUROPEAN COMMISSION *This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and ICJ Advisory opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
SEETO s role SEETO enables general policy environment for integration to the common EU Transport Policy on regional level; strong added value to the development of the SEETO Comprehensive Network and the national transport planning process SEETO sustainability- serious commitment by the Regional Participants; EC places SEETO process in the core of the accession process for TEN-T and Transport Policy (EC Progress Reports) Integrated approach in economic development and growth of the SEE region and other macroeconomic regions (SEE2020 Strategy, Danube Strategy, Adriatic-Ionian, Balkan- Mediterranean)
SEETO Comprehensive Network - 2014
TEN T Core Network Corridors Western Balkans now is being included in the TEN-T Corridors
Regional added value of the SEETO process Comparability with TEN-T: respecting and supporting the criteria for regional importance, economic impact, bankability of project, socialenvironmental impact and technical standards Promotion of soft measures and transport policy reforms that add to the national efforts for aligning with the EU transport policy, generate greater regional benefit from the investments in the infrastructure and achieve better transport operations; Supporting the creation of an integrated and liberalised market for transport services Use of latest technology in data collection, data presentation and network map creation (GIS)- largest transport data base in the region (SEETIS) Extended network of transport authorities, public institutions, transport experts, private operators and international organisations
SEETO process - benefits for transport - Definition of common transport Network - precondition for facilitation of transport & logistics o Aim: to create efficient and functional network which integrates the region in the global transport flows o TEN-T Core Network for the Western Balkans defined o TEN-T Core Corridor coordinators to be extended Common methodology for prioritization of infrastructure projects with regional significance and cross-border dimension Focus on horizontal, soft measures (including border-crossing facilitation) and overall transport system development to ensure high return of investments in transport infrastructure Improved coordination with International Financial Institutions and European Commission (WBIF)
SEETO Comprehensive Network Road Network indicators 91% in Medium to Very Good condition 14% of bottleneck sections Rail Network 14.4% in Good to Very Good condition 3% of bottleneck sections utilization below 50% Inland waterways Highly unused should be further analysed as a part of intermodal transport development in the SEE region Seaports positive trends in cargo flows Ports of Bar & Durres included in the European Motorways of the Sea
Investments in the SEETO Comprehensive Network Total of 13.2 billion was invested in the SEETO Comprehensive Network since 2004 9.2 billion disbursed in the SEETO Comprehensive Network in the period 2004 2012 Financing agreements concluded for additional 4 billion, to be disbursed in the forthcoming period Investments in the SEETO Comprehensive Road Network in 2004 2012 continued to be prioritised 79% of investments were disbursed in the road infrastructure
The main objective: Flagship Axes initiative cutting the travel time and transport costs on selected SEETO Comprehensive Network axes identification of physical and non-physical barriers for selected multimodal axes (Corridors/Routes) Raising their attractiveness by addressing the barriers Corridor X (highest traffic flows + connectivity Port of Thessaloniki and Belgrade) Corridor Vc (connectivity Port of Ploce and Sava river) Corridor VIII + Route 7 (connectivity Port of Durres, Corridor X and Black Sea) Route 4 (connectivity Port of Bar, Corridor X, Danube and Corridor IV) Danube river (already European corridor)
Flagship axes map On the basis of the principles adopted on the 38 th SC, the following SEETO CN axes have been selected: Corridor X (highest traffic flows + connectivity Port of Thessaloniki and Belgrade) Corridor Vc (connectivity Port of Ploce and Sava river) Corridor VIII + Route 7 (connectivity Port of Durres, Corridor X and Black Sea) Route 4 (connectivity Port of Bar, Corridor X, Danube and Corridor IV) Danube river (already European corridor proposed by EC)
4 Analysis Areas Infrastructure Market access Performance Border crossing Road characteristics Level of fees and charges Journey Time Pre-border process Rail characteristics Ports and terminal facilities characteristic Information and communication technology Administrative costs Transnational flows Traffic volumes and type of goods Punctuality Transport documents process Average Vehicle operating commercial process speed Information flow Customs/Authorities process Safety Electronic data exchange Security Terminal processing time Border facilities
Condition Flagship axes- key findings Phase 1 Bottlenecks Improvement
Flagship Axes Phase 2 EC Technical Assistance for: o Reinforced implementation of the Railway reforms o Transport and border-crossing facilitation Flagship axes initiative In phase 2, the EC TA which commenced in February 2014 is expected to deliver in depth analysis on the three remaining pillars: Market access assessment Performance indicator analysis Border-crossings analysis TA projects should deliver the results by mid 2015.
Expected results of the TA Project on Flagship axes Determination of non-physical barriers which affect the continuity of transport flows in SEETO Flagship Corridors. Detailed action plan for horizontal actions in the region and for flagship corridors. TA: Atkins, Typsa, egisbceom, GOPA, COWI
Conclusions from the Fact-finding Missions (1) Significant decrease in international passenger trains and freight trains (more than 75% since 2009) More than doubling of lorries and buses Considerable potential for SHIFT TO RAIL TA: Atkins, Typsa, egisbceom, GOPA, COWI
Conclusions from the Fact-finding Missions (2) If new BCAs no full implementation (MKD-KOS, MNE-ALB, MKD-SER) Technical improvements of some BCPs needed (parking, phyto-sanitary installations, customs clearance terminals, fencing) No joint controls, no mobile terminals for passport control No electronic transmission of data between Customs and Railways, among border authorities (SEEDS/NCTS) Ports are the most important feeders to the Flagship Corridors TA: Atkins, Typsa, egisbceom, GOPA, COWI
HORIZONTAL ACTIONS Establish Transport Facilitation Working Group (TF WG) Establish corridor management on selected flagship corridor that have a Sub-group on a pilot basis by using the model of the corridor management for the European Corridor Introduce Rail Market opening for the SEETO region Ensure that the electronic transmission system of the road sector (e.g. SEED or NCTS) or rail-specific systems (e.g. RAILDATA, RNE systems, etc.) shall be applied to the railway sector Establish joint road border crossings with the principle of one stopping based on Sukobin-Murican BCP Enhancing the efficiency of rail operations and the logistics between maritime and rail transport within SEETO Flagship ports: Bar, Durres and Ploce Actively involve the ports (authorities and operators) in tpromotion and management of the respective flagship corridors TA: Atkins, Typsa, egisbceom, GOPA, COWI
Ex.1.Axes presentation: Corridor X Road: Condition: Good (60%) Percentage of motorways: 80,6%, few remaining two-lane sections going through construction Speed: 80-120km/h AADT: 12,878 veh/day, sections with highest AADT recorded on the SEETO flagship axes and SEETO CN Bottlenecks (LoS): 45 km (all located on the ring around Belgrade) Investments: ongoing works-by 2016, entire Corridor X is expected to be on a level of motorway Summary of limitations: Inter-urban ring road around Belgrade southern Serbian &Macedonia stretch, under construction for rehabilitation: Miladinovci-Kumanovo (prioritized), Batocina-Paracin (not prioritized)
Ex.2 Axes presentation: Route 4 Rail: Condition: In Montenegro Good; Serbia - Medium Double track section and traction: 1% double track, 86% electrified Speed: speed restrictions on app. 236 km, mostly in Serbia Investments: higher investment intensity in Montenegro ( 100 million from 2005), overhaul to Belgrade planned (Russian loan) Summary of limitations: In Montenegro remaining sections with speed restrictions need to be addressed and tunnels and slopes rehabilitated Vrbnica Resnik- finance secured Pancevo Belgrade not planned interventions
Axes presentation: Route 4 Port of Bar Characteristics: Consists of 6 terminals: Dry bulk cargo, grains, liquids, ferry terminal, container and general cargo terminal Ownership type: Share holding company (54% Government) Container terminal privatized Summary of limitations: Investments in the mechanical units, modernization of gantry cranes, reconstruction of cold storage plant, building silos for bulk cement and development of environmental protection system Widening of the dry bulk terminal area could positively affect capacity.
Ex.3 Axes presentation: Corridor VIII Port of Durres: busiest SEETO Comprehensive Network seaport in cargo traffic (3.52 million tonnes), 14% TEU traffic increase comparing to 2011 container terminal awarded under concession Summary of limitations: berths, administrative buildings, workshops and utilities Expansion of container yard side terminal to accommodate larger transport flows Longer quays for bulk and general cargo could potentially increase the maximum capacity
Flagship Axes- tube maps
Technical Final output of the project should give guidance how to cope with following topics: what could be achieved at zero cost? Legislative Organizational what could be achieved through a resource efficient programme of maintenance/upgrading/reconstruction? what should ideally be achieved and at what costs to reach TEN-T standards? what is needed to cut time travel from point A to point B by 10% (on road and rail), 25% on road and rail, 50% (on rail only)? Maintenance: Develop and implement measures to improving the utilization rate of transport infrastructure on the SEETO Comprehensive Network through application of efficient Operation and Maintenance Management system Outputs Strategic Basis for monitoring Corridor performance and possible Corridor management Improved cooperation across borders The basis for modal integration, interoperability and coordinated development and management of infrastructure Support possible inclusion of WB Corridor/Routes in EU Corridor Initiatives Added value to the transport investments and political weight to the transport planning process Increased visibility of SEETO CN and its attractiveness for users
Further joint efforts Participation to EU initiatives and umbrella EU driven strategies with regional ownerships SEE2020 Strategy- SEETO as Dimension coordinator for dimension Transport improve the utilization rate of transport infrastructure ensuring harmonisation with the EU transport regulatory framework -creating common market conditions and safety standards development of co-modality and improving the ratio of railway and waterborne transport (Study on Intermodality is underway) Danube Strategy, Horizon 2020, Adriatic-Ionian and other macroeconomic strategies- SEETO as partner for various Projects of common interest Facilitate the access to the transport market in different transport modes; transport system management ; transport & infrastructure safety alleviation of the transport-related costs of the trade& logistics development of wide intelligent transport systems services
Thank you for your attention! mgjorgjievski@seetoint.org www.seetoint.org