Call for proposals for modal shift, catalyst, motorways of the sea, traffic avoidance and common learning actions under the Second Marco Polo Programme
The European Commission has published a call for proposals for modal shift, catalyst, motorways of the sea, traffic avoidance and common learning actions under the Second Marco Polo Programme. A shift from the road to more environmentally friendly modes was introduced by the European Commission in a 2001 white paper - 'European transport policy for 2010: time to decide'. In its new white paper on the European Transport Policy, published in March 2011 the European Commission, among other goals, seek to optimise the performance of multimodal logistic chains, including by making more use of more energy-efficient modes. This should lead to shifting 30% of the road freight over 300 km to other modes such as rail or waterborne transport by 2030, and more than 50% by 2050. The support action engaged on that scheme ran with the first Marco Polo Programme between 2003 and 2006 and after that period the European Union decided to extend its support via a second programme. The Second Marco Polo Programme supports initiatives to reduce road congestion resulting from freight traffic. This will improve the environmental performance of the transport system and enhance intermodal transport. In turn, these actoins contribute to a more efficient and sustainable transport system which will provide EU added value without having a negative impact on economic, social or territorial cohesion. Support is specifically intended to help cover initial stage losses resulting from freight transport in new or enhanced intermodal services or resulting from freight traffic avoidance actions.To see the official call announcement, please consult: OJ C 309 of 21 October 2011(opens in new window)