On 8 and 9 May, the European Sea Ports Organisation is holding its Annual Conference in Thessaloniki. This year's conference can simply not be missed, for various reasons. We are listing the five most important ones here.
1° The theme: “Towards a strategy for Europe's ports in the post-2024 era”. With important elections reshaping political priorities in Europe and the U.S., escalating geopolitical tensions, and multilateralism under pressure, we are entering a new world order. The EU must secure its future, strengthen alliances, and adapt to a new geopolitical and geo-economic reality, while paving the way to become net-zero. As logistics and energy hubs, trade gateways, and industrial clusters, Europe's ports play a vital role in resilience and military preparedness, yet they also face growing vulnerabilities. Is the upcoming EU Strategy a tool to assist ports in adapting to these changes or is it up to the ports to develop their own strategy? Reasons enough for the European Port community to gather in Thessaloniki: for port leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers to collaborate, share insights, and help shaping the EU Port Strategy.
2° The speakers and experts: We are thrilled to welcome Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas to the ESPO Conference! He is lined up alongside a series of top speakers and off-the-beaten track experts for these two days. Check our conference website regularly to see which port experts, academics and policymakers we have lined up for you. Last but not least, we foresee enough time for port CEOs to give their views and share their best practices with the audience. The world is changing rapidly, we adapt our conference agenda until the last minute to ensure it follows up on the latest “game changers”.
3° Thessaloniki! A vibrant crossroads of civilizations for over 2,300 years, blends rich history with a dynamic modern spirit. Including its wonderful gastronomy, it is Greece's first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, it boasts a lively mix of Western and Eastern influences also reflected in its monuments and traditions! Home to 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites and over 30 museums, it serves as the gateway to the Balkans and Southeast Europe, with legendary sites like Vergina, Mount Olympus, and Halkidiki just an hour away. Last but not least, the venue, the iconic 5-star Makedonia Palace Hotel offers world-class hospitality next to the city's landmark, the White Tower, an unforgettable destination in the heart of Thessaloniki!
4° The annual highlight of the European port industry: 2025 marks the 21st edition of ESPO Conferences. Over the years, it has become the go-to event for networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. Whether you’re a port manager looking to connect with peers, a policymaker shaping the future policy for ports, or a stakeholder seeking new opportunities, this is the place to be. Don't miss the chance to engage with industry leaders, share insights, and build valuable connections: secure your seat now!
5° The host: our host this year is the Port of Thessaloniki. This core TEN-T port is the largest conventional cargo transit port in Greece and a leading force in the Eastern Mediterranean, it drives economic growth and fosters international trade. A powerhouse of connectivity and opportunity, it remains the most important port in Northern Greece and a strategic gateway for Southeast Europe.
Source: ESPO