The Association of European Ports has promoted with flying colours the conclusions on the Union's maritime industrial strategy adopted yesterday by the Council of the EU and considers them a basis for for further discussions on the strategy and related initiatives ( of 8 June 2026). The European Sea Ports Organisation considers that 'the Council conclusions are the result of a deep knowledge of the European ports, their needs and challenges, their role strategic strategy for Europe and ecosystem diversity and governance models". 'Member States - explained Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of ESPO - seem to clearly support the necessary attention to the competitiveness, both by alleviating the administrative burden and by addressing the uneven playing field with neighbouring ports non-EU. The time has come - he underlined - to understand that the share of 23% of the world's airports pertaining to of European ports is neither a figure to be given for taken for granted nor a factor to be underestimated. The ports of call involve investments in freight, terminals and activities and, ultimately, growth and resilience for Europe".

ESPO highlighted that in its conclusions the Council rightly stresses the importance of proportionate implementation and to avoid administrative and financial burdens that would not be in line with the principles of better regulation, and calls on the Commission and the Member States to identify and implement simplification measures". In addition, ESPO has welcomed welcomes the Council's support for the adjustment of the scope General Block Exemption Regulation, limits and Aid intensity percentages to ports covered by exemption in order to better reflect the actual costs of inflation-adjusted investments, as well as the recognition of the importance of the financing of basic port infrastructure with high public added value and the need to safeguard an investment environment attractive for European ports and avoid discouraging investors reliable.

ESPO specified that it also strongly supports "the appeal of the Council so that national competence in the field of port governance, concessions and zoning plans of ports is jeopardised by future initiatives by the Union'.

The European Ports Association also noted that the Council of the EU took note of 'concerns relating to the impact of the EU ETS on the competitiveness of ports in particular with regard to the transfer of carbon offshoring and the relocation of investments" and which invited the European Commission "to intensify monitoring and to propose targeted corrective measures, in particular with regard to transhipment activities". ESPO considers it essential, in particular, that the forthcoming revision of the European EU ETS emissions trading 'seriously addresses the proven negative impact of the current maritime EU ETS on European ports. Only a proposal for an adequate revision, capable of to effectively mitigate negative and unintended consequences of the current ETS system - the association noted - will be able to restore competitiveness and equality of Conditions for European ports and the transport sector maritime short-sea shipping". In this regard, ESPO recalled that it has submitted to the Commission its proposals for the revision of the ETS and specified that it was ready for a dialogue on the preparation of the next revision proposal.

ESPO also appreciated the attention paid to the need a global agreement on shipping emissions at IMO level, and the need to adapt relevant EU legislation in order to avoid double payments and additional administrative burdens.

For regarding the assessment of foreign investment in ports ESPO welcomed the Council's call for a apply existing regulatory frameworks, avoiding duplication and ensuring legal certainty, while safeguarding the economic security. For ESPO, "it is important that the various horizontal instruments in place to address potential risks for safety, including the European Waste Control Regulation recently audited foreign investments, both effectively implemented and that any guidelines or initiatives future future does not add an extra layer of complexity, criteria and conditions to the already agreed legislative framework, applicable only to ports and not, for example, to other infrastructures criticism.

Finally, ESPO expressed its full support for the recognition by the role of ports in alternative fuels and fuel supply chains in terms of safety, good governance, definition of appropriate conditions based on which these fuels can be safely managed in port areas, trying to attract investments that correspond to the demand for alternative fuels. In In particular, the association noted that the Council underlines the crucial role of the market in the development of a supply chain of clean fuels in areas port areas and, as agreed by ESPO, welcomes further measures to stimulate demand for sustainable fuels lead to ensuring their availability, scalability and convenience. ESPO has therefore highlighted the importance that ports are supported in their wider role as energy hubs, and their role in the decarbonisation of the maritime transport and as crucial drivers for the transition energy security and economic and societal security of the EU.