The EU Ports Strategy aims to boost Europe's port competitiveness, security, and sustainability, supporting 423,000 jobs and climate neutrality by 2050.
The European Commission has launched the EU Ports Strategy to boost the competitiveness, resilience, security, and sustainability of Europe's ports. The strategy aims to address key challenges facing ports, which handle 74% of external trade, 3.4 billion tonnes of goods, and 395 million passengers annually, supporting over 423,000 jobs.
The strategy focuses on strengthening competitiveness, advancing energy transition, protecting and securing ports, improving access to finance, and promoting social cohesion and quality jobs. It includes actions such as developing criteria for EU funding and investments, promoting innovation and digitalization, accelerating permit-granting for strategic energy projects, and establishing frameworks for third-country port assessments.
The Commission will establish a high-level Maritime Industries and Ports Board to ensure effective implementation. Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas emphasized the strategy's goal of making Europe the leading waterborne continent, driving sustainable growth, and supporting quality jobs. The strategy aims to secure Europe's strategic autonomy, accelerate the clean energy transition, and sustain global leadership in waterborne transport, helping the EU achieve climate neutrality by 2050.