ESPO seeks funding definition expansion

In a release, the organisation said it feels that the “‘cross-border’ element” definition should not be limited to land-based links.

“Seaports must be seen as internationally cross-border in nature and thus be placed on an equal priority with other cross-border projects,” ESPO said.

In a first reaction to the proposal, ESPO secretary general Isabelle Ryckbost commented: “While we are supporting the general priorities of the new proposal in terms of strengthening connectivity, efficiency, sustainability and smart mobility, we must focus on applying these concepts in the right way to achieve a better integration of European seaports into the network.

“European ports are nodes of transport, energy, industry and blue economy. We must ensure that this important and complex role of European ports as spiders in the transport web should be better reflected in the new CEF,” she added.