Today, the European Parliament approved by 585 votes in favour, With 21 votes to and 26 abstentions, the motion for a resolution on Building A comprehensive European port strategy", rapporteur Tom Mr Berendsen, who calls for the strategic importance of the ports for the European transport sector and the European economy as a whole and calls on the European Commission to propose a comprehensive European port strategy that ensures the competitiveness and resilience of European ports and prevent any dependence on foreign countries in this sector.

The motion for a resolution points out, in particular, that "Foreign influence on Europe's critical infrastructure is a problem as it risks jeopardising the security, economic independence and resilience of individuals Member States and the Union as a whole. By allowing such a foreign influence, the motion for a resolution stresses, the EU is increasingly vulnerable from an economic and exposed to illegitimate pressure from autocratic third countries. In addition, the acquisition by foreign entities of Information on complete incoming and outgoing goods flows increases the risk of espionage, as already reported by the national intelligence services'.

The motion for a resolution highlights the need for the Member States to Member States and EU ports 'adopt as a matter of priority a a common and rigorous strategic approach to the development of our critical infrastructure. Therefore, in addition to the revision of the TEN-T Regulation and the upcoming revision of the IED Regulation - explains the document - we call on the Commission to propose a A comprehensive European port strategy to ensure competitiveness of European ports and at the same time ensure their independence economic situation by third-country actors. Such a strategy must establish limits on foreign investment in order to avoid the presence of Third countries with the potential to jeopardise security or law and order in our Union. It must also create a framework for public and private investors to invest in critical port infrastructure and strengthen the resilience of the access points to our economy."

Noting that in today's geo-economic and geopolitical context, it is It is clear that the strategic role of ports is becoming more and more the European Sea Ports Organisation has warmly welcomed the favour today's vote by the European Parliament, noting that 'the The text voted on also demonstrates a good understanding of the challenges facing the ports are facing and the high level of investment that the Ports need to be able to play the role of essential and more global than they have today." ESPO has also welcomed Parliament's focus on competitiveness of European ports and in the call for support for the role of ports in the transition energy sources, in particular in terms of the development of infrastructure in ports for hydrogen and acceleration of authorisation procedures. It is also asked," he specified the association - to avoid carbon leakage carbon and businesses, avoiding excessive administrative burdens, strengthening connections with the hinterland to and from the ports, as well as providing dedicated port facilities as part of the Connecting Europe Facility.

"This report of the Parliament - said Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of ESPO - is a strong document. It comes at the right time. Ports in Europe are in transition. Is in their traditional role as gateways to trade and nodes in supply chains, as well as in their new role as facilitators of important European transitions, ports are playing an increasingly strategic and critical role. That can only be sustainable if there is a support that is stable, provides certainty and helps ports to remain competitive, even with regard to non-European ports. For us, supporting and enabling ports to maintain their important role, to prepare and "build" for their new roles in achieving Europe's ambitions is the best possible port strategy'.