On 4 March, the European Commission launched its EU Ports Strategy, a 28-page framework outlining the future direction of Europe’s ports.
The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) welcomed the document as a good starting point for further dialogue with EU institutions. The strategy recognises the growing complexity of ports, which must combine their role as competitive trade hubs with public service responsibilities supporting Europe’s economic resilience.
ESPO particularly welcomed:
- The focus on maintaining the global competitiveness of European ports
- The intention to review the impact of EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime
- Recognition of the major investment needs in ports and their industrial clusters
- Efforts to accelerate permitting procedures
- The proposal for a high-level EU Ports Board
- Plans for a cybersecurity forum linking ports, Member States, and the Commission
At the same time, ESPO warned against adding extra sector-specific regulatory layers or increasing reporting obligations for ports.
The organisation also called for further dialogue on shipping decarbonisation, the evolution of bunkering markets, and the role ports should play in the energy transition.