European Commission working on future sustainability of European ports

The call for structural solutions to the increasing congestion in European ports is growing louder. With rising waiting times, supply chains under pressure, and a growing need for sustainable infrastructure, port companies and industry associations have responded en masse to the European Commission’s invitation to provide input for the new EU Ports Strategy.

Nearly 200 organisations, including the Port of Rotterdam Authority, have shared their wishes and concerns during a strategic dialogue in Brussels. The central message: European ports must be made future-proof—both economically and ecologically. The sector is calling for faster permitting procedures, improved digital collaboration, and more flexibility in state aid for investments in infrastructure and sustainability.

The European Commission acknowledges the urgency. The new EU Ports Strategy, currently in preparation, is intended to form the backbone of a resilient, competitive, and sustainable maritime sector. The strategy focuses on four pillars:

1. Security and geopolitical resilience;
2. Sustainability and the energy transition;
3. Digitalisation and innovation;
4. A level playing field.

The Commission emphasises that the strategy is not being imposed top-down, but is being shaped in collaboration with the sector. The consultation period, which concluded at the end of July, marks an important step towards a concrete policy proposal later this year.

With this strategy, Brussels aims not only to address the acute challenges, but also to lay the foundations for a future in which European ports maintain their leading role in a rapidly changing world.