The European Commission presented its on WednesdayEU Port Strategy, a 28-page document that establishes the framework for the future of European ports. The European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO) has positively assessed the initiative, which stems from a recognition of the fundamental role that ports play for the economy and society of the continent, as well as the complexity and challenges that their function entails in a constantly changing environment.
The Strategy acknowledges that ports must combine, more than ever, their role as competitive commercial centers with their tasks as providers of public services aimed at the economic and social resilience of Europe. Based on this approach, the Commission emphasizes the diversity of the port sector, which requires a broad and flexible approach, an aspect particularly well received by ESPO.
"We welcome the EU Port Strategy as a good starting point to continue the dialogue with the Commission, Parliament, and the Council. We need a strategy that equips us, not one that limits us. The Strategy can help us achieve our ambition to increase the current 23 percent of global port calls that occur in European ports. We are very grateful for the dialogue held so far with the Commission. On many issues, we share the same concerns, but we also see that in some it will be necessary to deepen the exchange of opinions. In that sense, we welcome the proposal to create a High-Level Port Council of the EU to continue the constructive exchange with the sector," declared Ansis Zeltiņš, President of ESPO.
"The EU Port Strategy is based on a good understanding of what ports are, what they can do, what they cannot do, what they face, and what they need. The document shows that the policy is there and that the focus should be on its implementation. Ports are fully occupied in navigating through the geopolitical volatility that the world is undergoing. Strengthening the competitiveness of ports, providing them with flexibility to adapt to sudden changes, and supporting them in their public functions is the best way to build resilience," added Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of ESPO.
Regarding the various pillars of the Strategy, the document rightly highlights the importance of maintaining the global competitiveness of European ports and commits to working on the review of the Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and the FuelEU Maritime regulation, with the goal of reducing the demonstrated negative impact of the current EU ETS maritime on European ports.
ESPO also positively appreciates the support from the Commission for port investments in Europe, taking as a reference the estimates included in the ESPO investment study of 2024. Along with the necessary funding to support the numerous planned investments, the Strategy points out the need to continue working on streamlining and simplifying the authorization procedures to materialize significant investments in the ports and their industrial clusters. The Commission's willingness to review the thresholds within the framework of the upcoming review of the General Block Exemption Regulation is also relevant in this context.
The creation of a specific forum where national cybersecurity authorities and port authorities can collaborate with the Commission to help ports address cybersecurity risks also has full sector support.
However, ESPO warns that while the guidelines may be useful for understanding the application of horizontal legislation to the port sector, they should not lead to adding an additional layer of criteria and conditions applicable only to ports within an already agreed legislative framework. Additionally, at a time when Europe questions excessive reporting obligations, ESPO believes that mapping exercises should be limited to cases where they are truly necessary. These mapping and reporting obligations represent a considerable effort for Member States, which may ultimately fall on the ports themselves.
Finally, ESPO identifies the need to intensify dialogue with the Commission and stakeholders on how to promote and realize the decarbonization of maritime transport, how the bunker fuel market can adapt, and what the role of ports is and can be in this process, in order to avoid unfounded expectations or stranded assets.
ESPO has thanked the Commission for its willingness to engage in dialogue and the exchanges held to date. The organization and its members will analyze the EU Port Strategy in greater detail in the coming weeks and maintain their commitment to work constructively with the Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council, with the aim of strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of European ports for the benefit of the economy and society of the continent.