EU recognises ports’ key strategic role

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) says it welcomes the recognition of the vital role that Europe’s ports play, detailed in the parliament’s own Berendsen report which it formally adopted on 17 January.

“This report is a strong document,” said Isabelle Ryckbost, ESPO Secretary General. “Both in their traditional role as gateways to trade and hubs in the supply chains, as well as in their new roles as enablers of Europe’s important transitions, ports are playing an increasingly strategic and critical role.

“This can only be sustainable if there is a supporting policy in place that is stable, provides certainty and supports ports in remaining competitive, including towards ports outside Europe.”

Ports also paly a key role in ensuring Europe’s energy security as well as helping accelerate the transition to greener fuels, says ESPO. To continue fulfilling this role, they need large public and private investment, it argues.

Strong ports and robust supply chains are critical to ensuring stability during times of upheaval, says ESPO, as it urges member states to implement a foreign direct screening system to help protect the critical infrastructure that ports represent.

Overall, ESPO says it believes that this report should pave the way for an approach which balances strengthening Europe’s security and competitiveness with maintaining open trade and an attractive investment environment.

Finally it stresses the importance of implementing recent legislation such as the Port Services Regulation, the revised General Block Exemption Regulation, the Foreign Direct Investment Regulation, the Distortive Foreign Subsidies Regulation, the Network and Information Security Directive, the Critical Entities Regulation and the relevant pillars of the Fit for 55 Package.