On 16 March, 2026, FEPORT participated in the European Ports Alliance Public-Private Partnership workshop organised by DG HOME, bringing together representatives from EU institutions, law enforcement agencies, port authorities and private sector stakeholders to discuss security challenges affecting European ports and supply chains.
The workshop opened with a presentation by DG MOVE outlining key elements of the EU Ports Strategy and highlighting the strategic importance of ports as critical infrastructure at the intersection of trade, energy and security. Particular attention was given to emerging security risks, including the growing infiltration of organised crime into logistics chains, cybersecurity vulnerabilities linked to the digitalisation of port systems, hybrid threats such as drones and GNSS interference.
Participants discussed the need to strengthen security frameworks at EU level, including improved risk assessment capacities, closer alignment with customs controls and more effective coordination among Member States. The development of an EU framework for background checks for port workers was identified as a central policy priority, although discussions also highlighted the need to ensure proportionality of such measures and to address practical challenges related to data access and cross-border information sharing.
Insights from Europol’s latest analysis of maritime cocaine trafficking illustrated the rapid evolution of criminal networks. Trafficking methods are increasingly shifting away from traditional port-based entry points towards offshore transfers, smaller vessels and new maritime routes. Criminal organisations are also deploying more sophisticated concealment techniques, including chemical bonding methods and underwater attachments to vessel hulls, making detection increasingly complex.
The exchanges also highlighted the growing role of administrative approaches to complement traditional criminal enforcement. National experiences presented by Italy and Belgium illustrated how preventive tools—such as background checks, company screening and coordinated inspections—can help identify risks at an early stage and prevent the misuse of legal business structures by organised crime.
Discussions pointed out to the need for a more integrated and intelligence-led approach to port security. Ports can no longer be treated as isolated control points; safeguarding supply chains requires addressing vulnerabilities across the entire logistics network, including maritime routes, inland transport and logistics hubs. Strengthening information sharing and coordination among authorities and private stakeholders remains a key priority for improving the resilience of Europe’s port ecosystem.
