On April 14 and 15, 2026, FEPORT participated in the 60th General Assembly of the European Maritime Pilots’ Association (EMPA), held in Ghent. FEPORT was represented by its Secretary General, Lamia Kerdjoudj.
The event brought together stakeholders from across the maritime sector, including representatives from ports, shipowners, tug operators and pilotage services. Opening discussions highlighted the key role of pilotage in ensuring safe and efficient port operations, as well as the strong interdependence between shipping, techno-nautical services and port-based activities.
Exchanges during the Assembly focused in particular on the recently adopted EU Maritime Industrial and Ports Strategies. Participants underlined the importance of ensuring consistency across policy frameworks and of translating strategic objectives into workable and effective implementation measures.
Discussions also addressed the use of revenues generated under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). In this context, examples at national level were highlighted, including recent initiatives in France to earmark ETS revenues for investments in the maritime sector, covering shipping, ports and shipbuilding.
In this context, FEPORT Secretary General Lamia Kerdjoudj underlined the importance of ensuring that ETS revenues are effectively reinvested in the maritime ecosystem, in order to support the energy transition while safeguarding the competitiveness of European ports and logistics chains.
The Assembly also provided an opportunity to exchange views with representatives from EU institutions, including DG MOVE, on the implementation of the EU Ports Strategy.
