Study on services in ports (I): pilotage, towing, mooring and unmooring, collection of ship-generated waste and fuel supply

The port system is of great importance for the transport of goods and passengers both nationally and internationally, with implications for consumers and all productive sectors. To identify problems of efficiency and competition and make recommendations for improvement, this study examines the framework in Spain of the technical-nautical services of pilotage, towing and mooring and unmooring; the collection of ship-generated waste and cargo residues (or MARPOL) and the bunkering service. It is recommended, first, to improve the framework applicable to the provision of services, adapting the specifications and the mechanisms of concessions and licenses to a competitive approach, establishing appropriate incentives and considering the creation of an independent supervisor. Second, to promote a regime of competition in access to the pilotage service. Third, to promote competition in the towing service. Fourth, to make the provision of the collection of ship-generated waste and cargo residues service more flexible in terms of the waste and ports that can be selected to provide the service, defining the charges and the use of surpluses in a way that is appropriate for competition. Finally, a framework of transparency and competition in the fuel supply service is recommended.