The Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament adopted yesterday (with 30 to 7 votes in favor) the report of Rapporteur Carlo Fidanza on the Commission’s proposal for a Directive on the Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure.

The adopted report foresees that Member States shall in close cooperation with with local, regional and industry stakeholders, ensure that a sufficient number of maritime ports of the Trans-European Transport (TEN-T) Core Network are equipped with publicly accessible LNG refuelling points for maritime transport, within adequate distances, to allow the circulation of LNG vessels Union-wide by 31 December 2020 at the latest. When defining the network of LNG refuelling points in maritime ports, the actual market needs and the existing bunkering points shall be taken into consideration.

Member States shall also ensure that shore side electricity supply for waterborne vessels requiring more than 1 MVA is installed in berths of ports of the TEN-T Core Network located within 3 km of residential and commercial areas, by 31 December 2020. This requirement shall also apply to cruise and ferry terminals not included in the TEN-T Core Network, unless their managing bodies demonstrate lack of cost-effectiveness or absence of significant environmental benefits.

The plenary vote on the adopted report is scheduled to take place in February 2014. The Council is now expected adopt a General Approach at the Transport Council on 5 December. A final agreement could potentially be reached before the end of this European Parliament.

The official press release of the Commission is available here.