European ports cannot rely on their location and reputation alone. Their future competitiveness will increasingly depend on their ability to combine operational capacity with digitalisation, automation, clean-energy infrastructure and efficient hinterland connections. This was the central message delivered by FEPORT at the first Mare Forum Germany.
Held at the Hafen Hotel Hamburg on 31 August, one day before the opening of SMM 2026, the conference brought together shipowners, policymakers, shipbuilders, terminal operators, financiers, insurers and technology providers. Discussions focused on how Maritime Europe can strengthen its position and shape its future in an increasingly complex and contested global environment.
FEPORT Secretary General, Ms Lamia Kerdjoudj, participated in the session on European ports, cities and maritime hubs. She explained that European ports and terminals are not living off reputations built in the past. They are continuously transforming themselves from traditional cargo gateways into digital, automated and increasingly important energy hubs.
Considerable capital expenditure is being directed towards this transformation. Ports and terminals are becoming strategic clusters for Europe’s decarbonisation while investing in software, artificial intelligence and automation to make more efficient use of limited space. For many European terminals, improving the performance of existing facilities is as important as developing new capacity.
Digitalisation must, however, be accompanied by stronger cyber resilience. Ms Kerdjoudj referred to FEPORT’s participation in SAFEDIGIMAR, an EU-funded project involving France Cyber Maritime and Federazione del Mare. The project supports the implementation of NIS2-related measures, disseminates good practices and promotes greater cybersecurity awareness throughout the maritime and port ecosystem.
“The maritime ecosystem will only be secure if every part of the chain invests in cybersecurity,” Ms Kerdjoudj stated, noting that levels of preparedness still vary considerably between different segments of the sector.
She also highlighted the constraints beyond the port gates. Although infrastructure inside many European ports is highly advanced, insufficient space and limited hinterland capacity remain major weaknesses. Port competitiveness cannot be separated from the performance of rail, road and inland-waterway connections. Investment in these networks is therefore essential to prevent congestion and ensure that cargo can move efficiently between ports and the European economy.
“By tying their physical capacity to the digital and green transformation of European industry, ports are securing their relevance for the next half-century,” concluded the FEPORT Secretary General.
