On 29 April 2025, the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) and the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket) co-hosted the conference Navigating Challenges to Security and Resilience in European Ports at EFTA House in Brussels. The event brought together policymakers, port authorities, and private sector leaders to explore ways to strengthen resilience in the European Economic Area’s port sector amid evolving maritime threats.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical instability, cyberattacks, and hybrid risks, the conference focused on key themes including cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, civil-military coordination, and public-private cooperation. Participants underlined the critical role of ports not only in enabling trade, but also in safeguarding energy and supply chain security.
FEPORT took part in Panel II, “The Private and Public Sector Roles and Cooperation,” with its Secretary General, Lamia Kerdjoudj, highlighting the unique challenges faced by commercial ports, which must remain open and operational even during crises. She stressed that resilience in this context demands more than physical protection; it requires a coordinated approach across digital systems, supply chain interdependencies, and public platforms.
FEPORT also emphasised the need for structured cooperation, aligned cybersecurity standards, and better information-sharing mechanisms. She welcomed initiatives like the EU’s ProtectEU Strategy and the Critical Entities Resilience Directive, which lay the groundwork for shared responsibility and stronger coordination between public and private actors in the port ecosystem.
Further information about the event is available here.
