The Ministry emphasises that national governments in EU member states support port development in very different ways; and in doing so do not give justice to Europe's level playing field. The Netherlands wants the European Commission to submit proposals to draw up guidelines for such support to ports.

'Working together' might help seaports better face the challenge of competition. The ports of Antwerp, Flushing, Terneuzen, Ghent and Zeebrugge have already reached various agreements. According to the memorandum the northern Eems-Dollard area too provides opportunities.

Amsterdam Ports have not yet received any positive news from the government about (the building of) IJmuiden's second large sea lock. According to the Ministry the expansion has not yet been convincingly justified.

Regulations and enforcement should be harmonised at the European level as much as possible. Considerations include streamlining port inspections and reduction of administrative expenses by introducing an electronic 'government desk' to deal with cargo-related documentation.

In improving seaports' accessibility to their hinterland areas the government should be selective. Investments in the port of Rotterdam are receiving preference to those in Amsterdam and Zeeland seaports. But these should be preferred to projects in Groningen. In the case of the latter ports a supplementary criterion is that there should be specific interest from market parties.