On 4 March, CINEA highlighted how projects financed under the Connecting Europe Facility are already supporting the modernisation of ports and maritime transport infrastructure across the Union. The projects presented focus on decarbonising maritime transport, deploying digital technologies, improving hinterland connections and encouraging renewable energy generation in port areas. The message is clear: the transformation of Europe’s port ecosystem is no longer theoretical but already dependent on the effective mobilisation of EU funding instruments.
For FEPORT, this is an important reminder that the implementation of multiple EU policy objectives ultimately depends on investable and bankable projects on the ground. Ports and terminals are expected to facilitate the energy transition, support more sustainable maritime operations and strengthen intermodal connectivity, while at the same time remaining efficient commercial gateways. CEF support therefore remains essential not only for flagship infrastructure projects, but also for ensuring that the competitiveness of EU ports is not weakened by the cumulative cost of compliance, adaptation and technological change.
In this context, the continued use of CEF for maritime infrastructure reinforces FEPORT’s long-standing position that Europe’s ambitions on decarbonisation, resilience and modal shift must be matched by an adequate transport budget and by accessible funding frameworks for port-related investment. This is particularly relevant at a time when terminal operators are being asked to contribute simultaneously to climate, energy, digital and security objectives.
