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North Sea Port

NSP

North Sea Port is the result of a merger between the Dutch Zeeland Seaports (Vlissingen and Terneuzen) and the Flemish/Belgian port of Ghent.

Lobbying Activity

Response to EU Ports Strategy

22 Jul 2025

North Sea Port is the largest cross-border port in Europe where strong cooperation across the border of two EU member states, Belgium and the Netherlands, is being put in practise. The port welcomes the ECs European Port Strategy initiative and supports the national position papers of both Belgium and the Netherlands as well as the ESPO position paper. In addition, North Sea Port would like to specifically highlight: - North Sea Port is characterised as a multi-modal logistics hub and centre of manufacturing industry (including various sectors such as steel, fertilisers, chemicals, cement, automotive etc.). The combination of industrial activity as well as added-value logistics pleads for significant investments in infrastructure such as upgrading quays and canals, investing in CO2 and H2 pipelines, upgrading grid capacity, investing in multi-modal hinterland connections, etc. However, more focus on cross-border projects in border regions is required: covering infrastructural developments in logistics, energy and dual use military mobility to enhance Europes resilience and competitiveness. The European Port Strategy should emphasise the need for cross-border projects and contribute towards lowering the bottlenecks typically found in border regions and in cross-border projects. - European funding is key for ports to deliver on the multiple roles they have in contributing to a performant European economy as well as answering to growing societal needs. Both these demands require ports to continue to deliver on the energy transition, decarbonisation of our industry, facilitate the circular economy and meet security challenges (military mobility). This implies a strong increased funding need and required EU budget. The EU Port Strategy should allocate the appropriate funding. In addition, EU funding procedures should be made more accessible, transparent and the administrative burden should be significantly reduced. Specifically, North Sea Port has experienced first hand that for cross-border projects hurdles in practise need to be overcome to be successful for EU funding as well as in implementation.
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Meeting with Sara Matthieu (Member of the European Parliament)

11 Oct 2024 · North Sea Port Congress

Meeting with Michael Bloss (Member of the European Parliament) and Transport and Environment (European Federation for Transport and Environment) and

2 May 2024 · Green Industrial Deal

Meeting with Tom Berendsen (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Havenbedrijf Rotterdam NV and

31 Aug 2023 · European Port Strategy

Meeting with Sara Matthieu (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Jun 2023 · Exchange of views on industrial policy

Meeting with Kathleen Van Brempt (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

4 May 2023 · A European Port Strategy and maritime security

Meeting with Kathleen Van Brempt (Member of the European Parliament) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Bond Beter Leefmilieu Vlaanderen vzw

1 Mar 2023 · Sustainable transition to climate neutrality - the role of European ports

Meeting with Thijs Reuten (Member of the European Parliament)

13 May 2022 · Energietransitie in de regio

Meeting with Diederik Samsom (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

29 Oct 2020 · Speech on the European Green Deal at online "Havencongres North Sea Port "