In March 2026, the European Commission adopted two strategies to drive competitiveness, sustainability, security and resilience within the EU’s wider waterborne sector. The strategies focus on ports, shipping and shipbuilding.
On the 4.03.2026, the EU commission has presented the EU Ports Strategy in order to strengthen competitiveness, security and sustainability of European ports. As European ports are finally recognised as multi-functional industrial hubs, the strategy has defined future actions on 5 priorities:
1. Strengthen competitiveness, innovation and digitalisation
2. Support the implementation of the energy transition, the sustainability and the integration of clean industries
3. Protect and secure ports, port infrastructure and port operations
4. Improve the access to finance and finances
5. Improve the social cohesion and promote skills and quality jobs.
As usual, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Let's find out if the strategy is only written for the 80 larger ports in Europe, or if the strategy will also improve the quality of the operations at the 1200 small and medium-sized European ports, which have a major regional, inter-regional and military importance for the hinterland connectivity and security.
Nevertheless, the RED II ports have not been waiting for the wind of Brussels to set the sails, insofar decarbonisation of ports and shipping is concerned. Over the past 3,5 years, the partner ports have collaborated intensively to design and test their pilot projects. Based on their experiences, they have developed their own strategic framework to effectively implement decarbonisation in ports and on shipping. While ports play a central role in this process, progress depends on how responsibilities, risks and timelines are shared across the wider system, including market actors, stakeholders, authorities and policy-makers:
PORTS
- Use pilots strategically to build maturity and reduce uncertainty
- Engage early with grid operators, authorities and market actors
- Plan phased investments aligned with demand and system readiness
MARKET ACTORS AND STAKEHOLDERS
- Provide clear signals on future demand and operational needs
- Engage in joint planning, pilots and risk-sharing arrangements
- Support standardisation and replication across ports
POLICYMAKERS AND AUTHORITIES
- Align regulatory requirements with system readiness and delivery timelines - Streamline permitting and clarify responsibilities
- Link pilot funding to pathways for follow-up investment and deployment
EU Strategy Press Release
REDII Ports Strategy From pilots to scale: Ports as green energy hubs
