European Commission prepared for its EU Ports Strategy and EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and invitied key stakeholders to participate in the process.
On Tuesday, 1 July, the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas hosted two high-level Strategic Dialogues in Brussels. The meetings brought together representatives from port, shipbuilding, shipping, inland waterway and related industries to help jointly define priorities, opportunities and actions to feed into the development of the EU Ports and Industrial Maritime Strategies. Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné also joined the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy Dialogue.
As gateways for trade, logistics, energy and military mobility, ports must be fit to support Europe's future economic and strategic needs. A comprehensive EU Ports Strategy will aim to support the long-term competitiveness of ports in terms with a focus on security, energy transition, and sustainability.
At the same time, Europe's shipbuilding, maritime manufacturing and shipping sectors are under growing pressure from global competition and rising security risks. The EU Industrial Maritime Strategy will aim to reinforce the sector's competitiveness and resilience, while driving forward its green and digital transition.
"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," said Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné, said: “As part of our industrial recovery plan, the Commission is committed to supporting sectors where Europe leads globally. The maritime industry and our ports are vital for Europe's sovereignty. Our priority is to strengthen their competitiveness while driving their decarbonisation. Today's dialogue is the first step towards a renewed ambition for our European maritime leadership."
Source: European Commission - DG MOVE