On 24 September 2025, the European Commission and Ecuador signed a new agreement to step up data exchange between Europol and Ecuadorian authorities in the fight against organised crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism. The accord builds on earlier cooperation that led to the seizure of 80 tons of drugs and 36 arrests in March 2025, and includes strong safeguards on data protection and fundamental rights.
For ports, the agreement is significant in the context of the EU’s ProtectEU Internal Security Strategy, which identifies ports and logistics hubs as critical nodes for law enforcement. Stronger international cooperation on intelligence and risk analysis can help tackle drug trafficking through maritime routes. At the same time, FEPORT underlines the importance of ensuring that new security requirements remain proportionate and do not create bottlenecks for terminal operations.
