ESPO — 2025-05-26
News from Brussels
The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) welcomes the outcome of the first EU–UK Summit, held in London on 19 May 2025 and sees it as a pivotal step towards revitalising the European Union–United Kingdom relationship.
“In this turbulent global geopolitical environment, with more and more trade obstacles and barriers being erected between countries and regions, it is particularly positive to see the EU and the UK lifting some of these barriers again, simplifying trade, and coming closer. We welcome this agreement and look forward to seeing these commitments clarified and translated swiftly into concrete, tangible and jointly agreed actions”, says ESPO’s Secretary General, Isabelle Ryckbost.
In particular, Europe’s ports are:
- applauding the commitment to ease the movement of animals, animal products, plants, and plant products between Great Britain and the European Union by eliminating the currently required certificates and controls. This is a practical step towards simplifying agri-food trade, enhancing food security, and fostering trust among producers and consumers on both sides.
- welcoming the commitment to align the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and the UK Emissions Trading System (UK ETS). However, in the context of maritime transport, this alignment should be considered in parallel with ongoing efforts at the IMO to establish a global market-based measure. Aligning different ETS systems is essential to eliminating inefficiencies and preventing competitive distortions in global sectors such as maritime transport.
- emphasising the importance of enhanced cooperation in maritime security and safety. In particular, European ports welcome the commitment of both parties to work closely together on ship and port facility security (including the implementation of the ISPS Code, maritime cybersecurity, and the coordinated response to threats such as shadow fleet operations.
Overall, Europe’s ports are insisting on the rapid and full implementation of these political commitments. Timely execution will provide the clarity and legal certainty that businesses and citizens on both sides of the Channel urgently need. It will also serve to rebuild trust between the EU and the UK, paving the way for further cooperation across a range of strategic areas.
ESPO therefore looks forward to seeing these commitments clarified further and swiftly translated into concrete, tangible, and jointly agreed actions.