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REPORT (2023/2059(INI))

On building a comprehensive European port strategy

A-9-2023-0443

Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Tom Berendsen

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution calls on the Commission to present a comprehensive European Port Strategy by the end of 2024. It asks for limits on foreign influence and control over EU ports, stronger security and cybersecurity, and measures to keep EU ports competitive. It seeks an EU framework to monitor non-EU influence in ports, a mandatory foreign direct investment screening system in all member states, and a risk assessment of China's involvement in maritime infrastructure. It calls for investment in ports for the energy transition, better hinterland rail and inland waterway links, digitalisation, and funding for ports under the Connecting Europe Facility. It asks for action against drug trafficking, weapons and counterfeit goods through ports, and for a study on climate risks to ports.

Committee position. The Committee on Transport and Tourism proposes that Parliament call on the Commission to present a comprehensive European Port Strategy by the end of 2024, addressing foreign influence, security, the energy transition and competitiveness.

Key points

  1. Calls on the Commission to present an EU strategic policy framework to reduce and limit the influence and financial and operational control exerted over EU ports by non-EU countries.
  2. Calls for a framework for continuous monitoring and reporting, jointly with member states, on non-EU influence in EU ports, terminal management and global container shipping.
  3. Encourages national port authorities, member states and the Commission to develop strategic cooperation between European ports to avoid being played off against each other.
  4. Strongly encourages the Commission to strengthen protective measures via an ambitious revision of the Foreign Direct Investments Regulation, including mandatory screening in all member states.
  5. Underlines the importance of the mechanism in Article [47] of the revised TEN-T Regulation for screening third-country investments in TEN-T infrastructure.
  6. Calls on the Commission to research the impact of vertical integration, the Consortia Block Exemption Regulation and container shipping alliances on non-EU influence in EU ports.
  7. Calls on the Commission and member states to urgently carry out a risk assessment of China's involvement in maritime infrastructures, including other non-EU countries.
  8. Suggests all member states introduce laws and contingency plans to retake control of ports and maritime infrastructure in a major conflict or emergency.
  9. Calls on the Commission and member states to prevent espionage and sabotage in dual-use ports, limit foreign access to port operations and information, and ensure high cybersecurity.
  10. Deplores the misuse of EU ports for drug trafficking and calls for European cooperation against organised crime, weapons and counterfeit trafficking, and customs and VAT fraud.
  11. Calls on the Commission to conduct a study on climate risks for European ports and for member states to undertake long-term environmental risk assessments.
  12. Calls for investment in ports for the energy transition, fast-track permitting, better hinterland rail and inland waterway links, digitalisation, and increased funding under the Connecting Europe Facility.

Who is affected

  • EU ports and terminal operators: subject to monitoring, screening and limits on foreign influence and control.
  • Member states: asked to introduce laws, contingency plans, mandatory investment screening and environmental risk assessments.
  • Non-EU investors, especially state-owned enterprises: their investments and operations in EU ports face screening and possible limits.
  • Port and maritime workers: the resolution calls for fair and safe working conditions and training for the green and digital transition.
  • EU shipping companies: the Commission is asked to explore reciprocal cabotage rules against restrictive Chinese legislation.

Figures and deadlines

  • 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen: the EU's import target by 2030.
  • by the end of 2024: deadline for the Commission to present a comprehensive European Port Strategy.

Legal basis: Article 81(3) of the Treaty