On 23 October, the European Commission adopted its Work Programme for 2026, under the title Europe’s Independence Moment. The programme outlines major legislative and non-legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening Europe’s resilience, competitiveness and sovereignty.
Key initiatives announced for 2026 include:
- Update of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for maritime, aviation and stationary installations (Q3 2026)
- Omnibus on taxation (Q2 2026) and further Omnibus initiatives on energy product legislation (Q2 2026) and citizens (Q4 2026)
- Fair Labour Mobility Package, including a European Social Security Pass (Q3 2026)
- Communication on the Defence Single Market (Q1 2026)
- Legislative initiative to modernise rules against organised crime (Q3 2026)
- European Innovation Act (Q1 2026)
- Circular Economy Act (Q3 2026)
- Initiatives on Energy Security, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Frameworks (both Q3 2026)
- Modernised rules to combat organized crime (Q3, 2026)
- Electrification Action Plan
- European Strategy on Sustainable and Smart Tourism (Q2, 2026)
- Strategy for outermost regions, communication on islands and coastal communities (Q1 and Q2)
- Development of the CO2 transportation infrastructure and markets (Q3, 2026)
- Evaluation of the biocidal products regulation (Q4, 2026)
While the programme places strong emphasis on energy independence, grid stability, renewables and competitiveness, FEPORT recalls that these ambitions cannot be fulfilled without ports and terminals. European ports are at the crossroads of energy transition, military mobility, resilience and trade competitiveness.
FEPORT therefore reiterates the importance of ensuring that European competition policy recognises ports as strategic enablers and provides adequate support for terminal operators. Ports also have a central role to play in delivering modal shift objectives and facilitating sustainable freight transport.
FEPORT also regrets the withdrawal of the Combined Transport Directive proposal, which could have been an important short-term lever for emissions reduction by shifting freight to more sustainable transport modes.
