On 4 March, the European Commission presented its new EU Port Strategy. The strategy aims to strengthen European ports and focuses on competitiveness, security, investment and the role of ports in the energy transition. Port of Antwerp-Bruges welcomes the fact that the strategy explicitly recognises the central role of ports in the European economy and in addressing challenges such as strategic autonomy, energy supply and secure trade chains.
Ports as engines of industry and trade
The strategy confirms that ports are multifunctional industrial hubs and form a crucial link in European logistics and industrial value chains. Much industry is located in or around ports and is highly dependent on efficient import and export flows. For Port of Antwerp-Bruges, it is therefore important that European port policy closely aligns with broader European industrial policy.
Competitiveness and an open investment climate
Port of Antwerp-Bruges welcomes the fact that competitiveness is put forward as the first priority. At the same time, an attractive and open investment climate remains essential for the further development of ports. International investments play an important role today and in the future in port infrastructure and industrial activities. Security considerations must be taken seriously, but new European initiatives should not lead to increased regulatory pressure or gold-plating that would undermine the investment climate.
Ports as energy hubs
The strategy also highlights the role of ports as hubs for the energy transition. For Port of Antwerp-Bruges, this is particularly relevant. The announced initiatives to accelerate and simplify permitting procedures for strategic projects in ports could become an important lever to enable faster investments in energy, decarbonisation, port expansion and innovative projects.
Cooperation and investment
The focus on cooperation around port security aligns with initiatives already taken in Belgium to tackle organised crime in logistics chains. In addition, the strategy rightly emphasises the importance of European investment instruments such as the Connecting Europe Facility, which remain crucial for investments in infrastructure, energy transition, digitalisation and military mobility.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “The European port strategy is an important step forward because it recognises how crucial ports are for Europe’s economy, energy transition and strategic autonomy. At the same time, we must ensure that European ports and the industries located in them remain competitive in an increasingly challenging global environment. This requires strong synergy between European port, transport and industrial policy, with sufficient room for investment, innovation and international cooperation between European ports.”
Johan Klaps, Alderman for the Port of Antwerp and Chairman of Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “The new European port strategy confirms the strategic importance of our ports within the broader economic and industrial ecosystem. From the Board of Directors, we support the direction Europe is setting with this strategy, as it provides our sector with the framework needed for sustainable long-term growth. It is essential that ports are given the space to continue investing, innovating and strengthening their role as a resilient link in Europe’s future.”
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