The European Sea Ports Organisation and the Federation of European Private Port Companies and Terminals (FEPORT) welcome the revision of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Environmental Quality Standards Directive (EQSD).
The relocation of pollution (e.g. from groundwater to surface water) or the relocation of sediment, both without adding pollution, should not be considered as deterioration in accordance with the WFD. We fully support the Council’s position in this regard. As a result, the maintenance of waterways must be guaranteed.
In conclusion, European port actors are committed to achieving the objectives of the WFD and have already demonstrated leadership in managing sediment and water quality. However, meeting these goals requires pragmatic policies that balance environmental protection with operational feasibility. ESPO and FEPORT urge policymakers to consider the recommendations outlined in this position paper to ensure a sustainable future for European ports.
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