Five Dutch seaports are calling on European policymakers to swiftly translate the European Ports Strategy into concrete, practical and adequately funded measures. This is necessary to enable investments in sustainable energy, infrastructure and the resilience of European ports.
The port authorities of Amsterdam, Groningen Seaports, Moerdijk, Rotterdam and North Sea Port presented their joint position paper “Full Steam Ahead” during a meeting in Brussels on 29 September. The five ports cooperate through the Dutch Seaports Association (BOZ).
The meeting brought together the port authorities and Members of the European Parliament Sérgio Gonçalves, Willemien Koning and Sara Matthieu. Gonçalves is the European Parliament’s rapporteur on the Ports Strategy file. The discussion was moderated by Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO).
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From strategy to implementation
The European Commission presented its European Ports Strategy in March 2026, recognising ports as strategic hubs for trade, industry, energy and security. The Dutch ports now want greater clarity on how these ambitions will be implemented. Their position paper identifies three priorities: investment certainty, clear agreements on strategic port infrastructure and stronger cross-border cooperation.
The ports argue that projects involving energy infrastructure, quays, rail and inland waterway connections and facilities for new energy carriers require substantial long-term investment. Companies can only make such long-term investments if policy, regulation and financing are sufficiently predictable.
The ports therefore call on Europe to maintain the possibility of long-term agreements and to provide appropriate funding mechanisms. New regulations should strengthen the security and resilience of ports without unnecessarily delaying the investments that are urgently needed.
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Clarity on dual-use infrastructure
The ports also highlight the growing importance of infrastructure that can serve both civilian and military purposes. Quays, rail connections, waterways, energy facilities and storage sites support the economy but can also contribute to military mobility and European resilience.
The five ports support greater recognition of this dual-use infrastructure but want the EU to clarify who is responsible for its development, protection and financing. They also stress the need for close cooperation between port authorities, governments and businesses.
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Ports stress cross-border nature of trade
Finally, the ports argue that European policy should better reflect the cross-border nature of trade, energy networks and industrial supply chains. The seaports therefore urge Europe not to organise regulations and investments solely on a member-state basis. Greater cooperation between ports and industrial clusters can help better align energy infrastructure, hinterland connections, military mobility and economic security objectives.
As the European Parliament continues work on the Ports Strategy, the Dutch ports say they will remain engaged with European policymakers and the wider maritime and business community. As Isabelle Ryckbost aptly summarised at the close of the meeting: ‘Investing in ports is investing in Europe.’
