• 4 min de lectura
• 4 min de lectura
Five Dutch seaports are calling on European policymakers to swiftly translate the European Ports Strategy into concrete, practical and adequately funded measures. This is necessary to enable investments in sustainable energy, infrastructure and the resilience of European ports. The port authorities of Amsterdam, Groningen Seaports, Moerdijk, Rotterdam and North Sea Port made this appeal during a meeting in Brussels on 29 September. During the event, they highlighted their joint position paper Full Steam Ahead. The five ports cooperate within the Dutch Seaports Association (BOZ).
During the meeting, representatives of the ports held discussions with Members of the European Parliament Sérgio Gonçalves, Willemien Koning and Sara Matthieu. Sérgio Gonçalves serves as the European Parliament's rapporteur on the file. The discussion was moderated by Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO).
In March 2026, the European Commission presented the European Ports Strategy. The strategy explicitly recognises ports as strategic hubs for trade, industry, energy and security. It focuses on issues such as port competitiveness, the energy transition, security and access to financing. According to the Dutch seaports, this recognition is an important step forward. The next challenge is to clarify how Europe's ambitions will be implemented in practice. In their joint position paper, the ports outline three key priorities: investment certainty, clear agreements on strategic port infrastructure and stronger cross-border cooperation
Making European ports more sustainable and resilient requires substantial investments. These include investments in energy infrastructure, quays, rail and inland waterway connections, and facilities for new energy carriers. Companies can only make such long-term investments if policy, regulation and financing are sufficiently predictable.
The ports therefore call on Europe to maintain the possibility of long-term agreements and to provide appropriate funding mechanisms. New regulations should strengthen the security and resilience of ports without unnecessarily delaying the investments that are urgently needed.
Port infrastructure can serve both civilian and military purposes. Quays, rail connections, waterways, energy facilities and storage locations are essential for the day-to-day economy, but they may also be required for military mobility and Europe's resilience.
The five ports support the recognition of this so-called dual-use infrastructure. At the same time, they call on the European Union to clearly define responsibilities for its development, protection and financing. They also stress that implementation should be carried out in close cooperation with port authorities, governments and businesses operating in the ports.
Trade flows, energy networks and industrial value chains do not stop at national borders. Ports are connected to other Dutch and European regions through inland shipping, rail, road and pipeline networks.
The seaports therefore urge Europe not to organise regulations and investments solely on a member-state basis. Greater cooperation between ports and industrial clusters can help better align energy infrastructure, hinterland connections, military mobility and economic security objectives.
In the coming period, the European Parliament will continue to develop its position on the European Ports Strategy. The five seaports intend to remain closely engaged with European policymakers, other ports and the business community throughout this process.
Their message is clear: Europe has recognised the strategic value of its ports. The next step is to make concrete decisions on regulation, financing and responsibilities, so that ports can contribute fully to a competitive, sustainable and resilient Europe.
As Isabelle Ryckbost aptly summarised at the close of the meeting: "Investing in ports is investing in Europe."
For more information, read the joint position paper Full Steam Ahead by the Dutch seaports and visit the website of the Dutch Seaports Association (BOZ).
