FEPORT welcomes the adoption of the EU Ports Strategy which provides an important impetus for resilience, security and innovation.

The EU Ports Strategy presented on March 4th, 2026, constitutes an important milestone in the EU’s roadmap to reinforce its strategic autonomy and sovereignty.

The adoption of the EU Maritime Industrial Strategy also sends a strong signal to the rest of the world about the important role that shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers represent for EU industrial resilience thus putting an end to several decades during which this industry, in spite its role, has been overlooked by EU policy makers.

FEPORT Board members, who gathered in Brussels for a meeting on March 5th, 2026,, appreciate the recognition of seaports as strategic entities requiring investments in infrastructure for security of supply, energy transition and military mobility. They also value that the EU Ports Strategy acknowledges the critical role of seaport terminals in investing private capital and boosting the competitiveness of European ports.

The EU Commission’s position on the importance of a stable framework for concession and land lease contracts to attract investment sends a positive signal to the private port sector too. It is also crucial that Member States and port authorities seek a balance between return on investments for private operators and suitable contractual obligations to keep EU ports attractive for private investors.

The transformation of EU ports implies a fundamental shift in the economic model governing private terminals.

“These last years, private terminal operators have been increasingly requested to assume responsibilities that extend beyond commercial cargo handling and logistics related operations. They are required to co-finance or fully finance investments related to security infrastructure, scanning equipment to combat drug trafficking, cybersecurity systems, shore-side electrification, and intermodal rail connectivity” says FEPORT President, Mr Gunther Bonz.

“Economically, this evolution represents a structural redefinition of the model governing private terminals and calls for an evolution of the rules regarding investment and State Aid” adds Mr Bonz.

“In this respect, we welcome the EU Commission’s decision to review the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) and provide further guidance with interpretative clarifications of GBER rules, including for port infrastructure investments” says FEPORT Secretary General, Ms Lamia Kerdjoudj.

“Currently, the port sector is subject to a mosaic of rules, regarding investments, composed of EU Regulations (GBER and TEN-T) and individual State Aid decisions. The framework is fragmented and there are still ‘missing parts in the puzzle’,” says FEPORT Secretary General.

“We are looking forward to having more clarity regarding public support for multimodal transport facilities which are in maritime ports and have rail or inland waterways connections, thereby improving hinterland connections. The coherence of the EU State Aid Policy remains the best guarantee of equal treatment, level plating field and proportionality, and the best means to unleash the potential of long-term investment in EU Ports” concludes Ms Lamia Kerdjoudj.

EU regulatory compliance costs, long permitting procedures, EU ETS for Maritime erode the competitive advantage of EU ports. EU ports are not competing only within the EU Internal market. They are also exposed to fierce competition from non-EU ports. FEPORT urges the EU Commission to translate its awareness about the need to boost the competitiveness of EU ports into concrete actions.

FEPORT thanks the EU Commission for the good cooperation and for its thorough understanding of the evolution of the profile of ports and its implications.

FEPORT members look forward to continuing to work constructively with the EU Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to transform the main priorities highlighted in the EU Ports Strategy into a concrete action and a meaningful support to the EU port sector.
Source: FEPORT