19 April (Lloyd's List) - GROUPS representing barge users have called on the European Commission to urge France to take action to end disruption caused by industrial action.

The European Shippers’ Council, which represent the interests of cargo owners in Europe, and the European Barge Union are concerned about the free movement of goods within the European Union.

They claim inland waterway transport has been targeted and restricted since the strikes began, which have restricted free movement on the Rhine and the French waterway system.

“Due to this still lasting situation, the barge owners and operators sailing on these waterways face blockades at locks with serious consequences in terms of delays and additional costs,” the statement said in a joint statement. “This leads to an increased unreliability of the sector towards its clients, causing EBU and ESC to address the commission to call upon

France to take actions to end the infringement of the free movement of goods.”

The European Court of Justice has established that member states have a duty to take action against individuals whose conduct undermines the effectiveness of European Community provisions.

“Although the free movement of goods is not an ‘absolute freedom’, in our view it should be guaranteed as much as possible,” said ESC and EBU secretaries-general Godfried Smit and Theresia Hacksteiner. “The current situation in France is of great concern to us. Actions by the Rhine Commission towards the French authorities so far only had limited results.

Also, a number of vessels on the Rhone are prevented from sailing between two lock complexes. This situation leads to major negative consequences, in particular lots of additional costs, for the European economy but also causes great inconvenience to the crews involved. Consequently, this means that actions that hinder the free movement of goods should be limited in duration and impact.”