On 6 March 2026, FEPORT welcomed the adoption of the EU Ports Strategy presented by the European Commission on 4 March. The strategy marks an important step in recognising the strategic role of ports in supporting Europe’s supply chains, economic resilience and energy transition.
During its Board of Directors meeting held in Brussels on 5 March, FEPORT members welcomed the recognition of seaports as strategic infrastructure requiring sustained investment in areas such as security of supply, decarbonisation and military mobility. FEPORT also highlighted the important contribution of private terminal operators in mobilising capital and supporting the competitiveness of European ports.
At the same time, FEPORT noted that the transformation currently underway in European ports is reshaping the economic model of private terminals. Operators are increasingly expected to contribute to investments related to security infrastructure, scanning equipment to combat drug trafficking, cybersecurity systems, shore-side electrification and improved intermodal connectivity.
In this context, FEPORT welcomed the Commission’s intention to review the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) and provide further guidance regarding State Aid rules applicable to port infrastructure. Greater clarity on public support mechanisms and improved access to financing for multimodal infrastructure projects would help facilitate the large-scale investments required across the port sector.
FEPORT also emphasised the importance of ensuring that regulatory developments affecting the sector—including compliance costs, permitting procedures and climate-related measures—do not undermine the competitiveness of EU ports, which operate in a global marketplace and face increasing competition from non-EU ports.
FEPORT expressed its willingness to continue working with the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to translate the priorities identified in the EU Ports Strategy into concrete actions supporting investment, competitiveness and resilience across Europe’s port ecosystem.
