BALTIC PORTS ORGANIZATION MTÜ
BPO
The Baltic Ports Organization is a regional alliance that inspires and supports its members while actively cooperating with relevant partners.
ID: 370197997070-49
Lobbying Activity
Response to EU Ports Strategy
28 Jul 2025
BPO Statement regarding the newly proposed EU Ports Strategy: The Baltic Ports Organization (BPO) welcomes the European Commission's (EC) initiative to develop a comprehensive EU Ports Strategy, as outlined in the recent Call for Evidence. We recognize the strategic importance of this endeavor, aiming to modernize and adapt the EU's port sector to evolving geopolitical, economic, and environmental landscapes. The BPO and its Members firmly believe that a well-conceived strategy is a crucial step towards ensuring the long-term competitiveness, security, and sustainability of European ports, which are indispensable pillars of the Union's economy and connectivity. However, while acknowledging this positive direction, the BPO emphasizes that the success of any strategy lies in its practical implementation. It must serve as a guiding policy framework that fosters growth and resilience, rather than imposing additional regulatory burdens or significantly altering existing legislative regimes. Our collective motto for this strategy should be "Easier, not harder," ensuring that it facilitates rather than complicates the complex undertakings required from the port industry. This statement outlines the Baltic Ports Organization's key perspectives and recommendations, urging policymakers to consider the unique challenges and opportunities faced by ports, particularly within the Baltic Sea Region. Enhancing Competitiveness and Sustainable Growth Ports are not merely logistical nodes; they are dynamic economic engines vital to Europe's continuing prosperity and global trade. Their role extends far beyond cargo handling, encompassing crucial functions in people's mobility and tourism, an aspect especially pertinent and economically significant for the Baltic Sea Region. The sustained growth of the European economy is inextricably linked to the assured competitiveness of its ports. The BPO believes that the overall growth of the port industry must remain market-driven, not policy-driven. This approach is essential to mitigate the risk of overinvestment, ensuring that development aligns with genuine demand and economic viability rather than theoretical projections. To facilitate this, investment processes must be significantly shortened and eased up, actively supported by deregulatory actions that are in line with the strategic goals of the new European Commission. This means streamlining administrative procedures, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and fostering an agile environment where port authorities and private investors can act decisively. The extended duration of administrative decision-making processes is another significant challenge to be underscored, particularly those related to environmental protection (e.g., environmental decisions, water permits). These processes consume a disproportionate amount of time in the project design cycle, leading to construction delays and often preventing project completion within a single EU financial perspective, especially for EU-funded initiatives. The inherent technical and organizational complexity of port projects, located at the interface between land and sea, necessitates additional consultations, further prolonging preparation and design phases over several years. Regarding financing, the BPO strongly advocates for CEF III (Connecting Europe Facility) to be recognized and utilized as the primary financing mechanism for port infrastructure development and modernization. Its proven track record and focus on strategic European connectivity make it the most suitable instrument. That said, the current imbalance in EU infrastructure funding shows that nearly 80% of recent CEF-T calls were granted to rail projects. This needs to be noted, as equitable treatment across transport modes should be a priority. [More in the attached file.]
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