The path is indicated. Now we must continue in that direction. This is the summary of the new environmental report EcoPortsinSights 2026, presented today by the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), which is one of the pillars of the initiative EcoPorts and photographs the state of the environment and sustainability in the European port sector. The new analysis is based on data from 73 ports from 17 European countries, collected through EcoPorts Self-Diagnosis Method (SDM), the tool with which the authorities assess their environmental management system and prepare for PERS (Port Environmental Review) certification System). Spain is the most represented country (18 ports, 24.7%), followed by Germany (11) and, on an equal footing, the Netherlands and United Kingdom (seven each). Italy participates with only one port. As the sample varies from year to year, the report calls for Read the variations with caution.

The picture is of a sector with highly developed practices. 97% of ports have an environmental policy, 99% have defined improvement objectives and 95% manage a monitoring. 77% have at least one system certification (ISO 14001, EMAS or PERS) and reporting public environmental level reaches a new high of 85%. However, the Environmental Management Index drops to 8.51 out of 10, from the record of 8.67 in 2025. It is the first annual decline since 2020, but remains the third highest value in the historical series. The report specifies that the change should be read in the light of the change in sample composition (from 77 to 73 ports).

The document highlights that some areas remain to be strengthened, starting from the environmental training of personnel who are stuck at 60% (it was 64% in 2025) and is the only indicator below the 2013 level. In addition, the documentation of the responsibility of key personnel drops from 91% to 86%, and, While 99% of ports have set targets, only 77% say that quantitative differences: a gap that, according to the report, indicates the Road to the next step.

The report also focuses on the activities of monitoring, explaining that it is more widespread in the related to energy, waste and carbon. In particular, the efficiency of energy costs reach an all-time high of 90%, port waste 89%, those of ships 86% and the carbon footprint 85% (+37 points compared to 2013, the most marked growth in the long term period). Waste recycling monitoring rises to 80%. On the other hand, the quality of sediments decreased (75%), consumption (70%) and marine ecosystems (53%). Monitoring the Soil quality records the most annual decline from 52% to 47%. The report highlights the importance of not to neglect these areas, given the growing attention of the European policy on water resilience, nature restoration and soil protection.

Climate change leads the ranking of priorities for the fifth year in a row, being indicated by 59 ports. This is followed by air quality and energy efficiency. Noise rises to fourth place and the relationship with the local community he makes the greatest leap, from the seventh to the fifth. The development port on the land side drops from fourth to sixth place, but - warns the report - without this reducing its real importance.

On the climate front, 85% of ports have set their own target of reduction of greenhouse gases (80% in 2025); 70% report difficulties potentially linked to climate change, the value since the indicator exists; 79% are strengthening the resilience of existing infrastructure; 89% Consider climate adaptation in new projects infrastructural data, the highest figure in the series.

On the ship services front, the report notes that Onshore Power Supply, the technology to provide electricity from the shore network to ships, it is available in 60% (44 on 73) of ports (62% in 2025). Among these, 55% offer high voltage, 75% low voltage and 98% have fixed installations and the 16% mobile installations. The report specifies that, "of the 44 ports equipped with OPS, 38 indicate that ships use the system when available, a percentage equal to about 86%". The report warns that, however, the availability infrastructure is not enough: environmental benefits are obtained only if the ships really connect. The document recalls that only from 2030, the European FuelEU Maritime Regulation will make the use of OPS for container ships and passenger ships in ports.

The most cited critical issues related to Onshore Power supply concern the electricity grid: 54% report problems with and 48% capacity. Only 37% believe that the OPS represents a cost-effective opportunity for its port reality.

As for the availability of fuel in ports useful for the decarbonisation of maritime transport, the report reports that liquefied natural gas bunkering is available in 52% of ports. In addition, the activity is growing on other fuels: biofuels from 28% to 41%, ammonia from 16% to 20%, synthetic fuels from 13% to 18%, while hydrogen remains stable at 42%. It is - specifies the relationship - of projects under development and not of availability operational.

With regard to the ports that "reward" the most port fees differentiated for the most "green" reach an all-time high: 70% of ports, from 61% in 2025. The most widely used criterion is the reduction of greenhouse gases (67%), ahead of emissions into the atmosphere (63%). The The report shows that, however, the economic incentive remains generally modest compared to the overall cost of a stopover, and it should be understood above all as an accompanying signal.

The message that emerges from the report is that the of the adoption of policies and systems can be said to be largely now it is a matter of demonstrating its effectiveness. They are needed Quantifiable objectives, trained staff, environmental data and power grids that can support the electrification of docks and road transport. Also for this ESPO is revising the SDM questionnaire, which should halve the number of questions to make it easier to while maintaining the information necessary for a effective assessment.

In short: European ports have written the rules and built the systems. Now they have to show that they work.