The European Commission has formally begun work on developing two new policy frameworks aimed at strengthening Europe’s ports and maritime sectors: an EU Ports Strategy and an EU Industrial Maritime Strategy.
As part of the process, two high-level Strategic Dialogues took place today in Brussels, hosted by the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
Industry representatives from ports, shipbuilding, shipping, inland waterways and related sectors participated to help identify shared priorities and inform the content of both strategies.
The Commission states that the planned EU Ports Strategy will focus on maintaining ports’ long-term competitiveness while addressing issues such as security, energy transition and sustainability. Alongside this, the Industrial Maritime Strategy is intended to support shipbuilding, maritime manufacturing and shipping, with an emphasis on competitiveness, resilience and the green and digital transition.
Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, stated:With our upcoming EU Ports and Industrial Maritime Strategies, we aim to ensure that Europe's ports and waterborne industries are equipped to lead the clean and digital energy transition, support defence and trade, and remain globally competitive. Broad stakeholder input is essential - we are committed to listening to the sector's needs and ambitions to help shape a future-ready Europe.
