On 7, 8 and 9 May, the European Port Community has been gathering in Thessaloniki for its General Assembly and the 21st edition of the ESPO Conference.
On the evening of May 7th, just before the official opening of the ESPO Conference 2025, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas held a high-level meeting with ESPO's Chair Ansis Zeltiņš, Vice Chair Gerardo Landaluce and ESPO Secretary General Isabelle Ryckbost. The meeting provided an opportunity to meet officially with ESPO as the unique voice of Europe's seaports in Brussels and engage in a forward-looking discussion on the current and emerging challenges facing Europe's port sector. Particular attention was given to the development of the forthcoming EU Port Strategy.
In the evening of 7th May, Commissioner Tzitzikostas engaged in an impactful dialogue with a group of 30 leading CEOs and senior executives from a diversity of European ports. This exchange offered a unique platform for port executives to voice their concerns, priorities, and recommendations directly to the Commissioner, ahead of the broader policy debates scheduled for the conference.
This morning, Commissioner Tzitzikostas addressed the ESPO Conference to share his views on the importance of ports and his intentions at the start of the consultation process on the forthcoming EU Port Strategy.
Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, stated:“European ports are at the frontline of today's most pressing challenges – and they hold the key to addressing them. As critical hubs for energy, military mobility, logistics, and international trade, they are fundamental to enhancing our geopolitical resilience. At the same time, they offer tremendous potential for sustainable development and economic competitiveness. These are precisely the ambitions our forthcoming EU Ports Strategy seeks to advance – ensuring that our ports flourish as modern and resilient gateways to the world.”
Ansis Zeltiņš, ESPO Chair said: “As every year, the ESPO Conferences are a unique opportunity to meet the European port community, discuss the latest challenges, and exchange ideas and good practices between ports. We are delighted and honoured that Commissioner Tzitzikostas has taken the time and shown interest in engaging in dialogue with ESPO and its members regarding the forthcoming port strategy. We have seen a lot of mutual understanding from the Commissioner regarding our concerns and views.”
Isabelle Ryckbost, ESPO Secretary General said:“We really appreciate the willingness and openness of the Commissioner to meet with Europe's ports. We look forward to paving the way for a port strategy that enables port managing bodies to play their role and contributing to a stronger, more resilient and competitive net zero Europe. We see a lot of understanding for the diversity of Europe's ports, the need to take away barriers and maintain a regulatory hygiene to realise these ambitions. We are happy that competitiveness is on top of the Commissioner's agenda.”
His speech marked the start of a diverse lineup of high-profile speakers and experts debating “a Strategy for ports in the post-2024 era”. Together, they will guide participants through an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted landscape in which European ports operate today. Sessions will focus on the geo-economic shifts, energy transition, and the turbulent geopolitical environment in which European ports are operating, while also offering visions for the future strategy both ports and Europe should pursue.
Source: ESPO