European policy makers have been alerted to the need for incentives so ports can make the transition towards CO2-neutral status.
‘The Added Value of Ports’ event was organised by Antwerp and Rotterdam Port Authorities to ask the European Commission and Parliament to focus on the economic significance of ports and the contribution they can make to future European trade, transport and industry policy as large industrial ports face the challenges of energy transition and digitisation.
“European Union support is essential for the infrastructure investments needed to realise the Energy Transition,” stated Ronald Paul, COO Port of Rotterdam Authority. “The development of infrastructure forms the basis of a successful energy transition. This means connecting production locations within and between industrial clusters. We need the European Union for this.”
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Antwerp Port Authority, said: “Ports are leaders of the energy transition. Large port clusters are ideal places to realise the transition. We are counting on European Union support for supportive regulations and financial incentives for projects for which the business cases are inconclusive.”
Examples of projects that the European Union can facilitate include carbon capture and storage, hydrogen infrastructure, the development of offshore wind farms on the North Sea and the strengthening of the Green Energy Grid for the landing of offshore wind power.
In addition to Mr Paul and Mr Vandermeiren, speakers included Henrik Hololei, European Commission director-general for mobility and transport; and Christian Holzleitner, European Commission head of unit at Directorate-General for Climate Action.
