EU ports back mobility strategy

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European port stakeholders have called for coherent EU strategies that reinforce both resilience and competitiveness across the maritime sector, as discussions intensify around the new Military Mobility Regulation and related initiatives.

Meeting in Brussels on 4 December, FEPORT members stressed the need for consistent industrial and port strategies, highlighting that ports are indispensable nodes in Europe’s defence, logistics and trade networks.

Port of Rotterdam

Source: Port of Rotterdam

The Port of Rotterdam. European port groups are calling for aligned EU military mobility strategies, funding and recognition of ports’ strategic role

FEPORT members reiterated strong support for the EU Military Mobility Package and its accompanying regulation, viewing it as a strategic foundation for future port resilience. The regulation’s strength, they said, lies in its recognition of the entire transport chain as critical to enabling rapid, cross-border movement of military assets. However, they warned that EU funding alone cannot meet the scale of required upgrades.

“As mentioned in FEPORT’s position paper, many of these adaptations will bring limited direct commercial return, even though they are indispensable for defence and civil protection,” said FEPORT president Gunther Bonz.

He emphasised the need for national support measures alongside CEF funding, adding: “In this context, a dedicated EU State Aid Framework for Ports would not replace CEF but would complement it.”

The General Assembly also welcomed global advisory firm Moffatt & Nichol as a new associate member. “We are glad to welcome Moffatt and Nicol. We believe that their insights will be very useful,” Bonz said. Moffatt & Nichol’s Christian Blauert added that the company looks forward to advancing policies that ‘impact the sector, advancing the collective interest of the members’.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament will vote in mid-December on its own-initiative report on military mobility. The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) urged MEPs to endorse the text, praising its recognition of ports’ strategic value. “We welcome this report as a timely and important contribution to enhancing Europe’s military mobility,” said ESPO Secretary General Isabelle Ryckbost.