CLECAT — 2026-03-05
News from Brussels
CLECAT, representing more than 19,000 freight forwarding, logistics and customs companies across Europe, welcomes the European Commission’s publication of the EU Ports Strategy, recognising the strategic role ports play as critical nodes in Europe’s trade and logistics networks.
Ports connect global trade routes with inland transport networks, customs systems, energy infrastructure and industrial value chains. Strengthening this connectivity is essential for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and sustainability. The new strategy provides an important framework to address these challenges and reflects the growing importance of ports for Europe’s economic security and global trade position.
The strategy recognises that ports today are increasingly becoming multifunctional hubs supporting logistics operations, the energy transition, industrial activity and supply chain security. CLECAT broadly welcomes this vision, while noting that its success will depend on effective implementation and coordination across Member States and the wider logistics ecosystem.
Safeguarding competitiveness and fair market access
The strategy rightly acknowledges the need to strengthen the global competitiveness of European ports. However, maintaining this competitiveness will require careful implementation of regulatory measures and investment policies. While vertical integration can bring efficiencies across supply chains, it is equally important that the evolving port landscape continues to guarantee open access and fair competition. Particular attention should therefore be given to avoiding situations where integrated operators could restrict competitors’ access to infrastructure, services or customers, potentially leading to market foreclosure.
The extension of the EU Emissions Trading System to maritime transport is already having an impact on the competitive position of European ports and supply chains. It is therefore important that the upcoming review of the EU ETS, followed by the FuelEU Maritime framework, carefully assesses its implications not only for the competitiveness of EU ports but also for Europe’s maritime connectivity and the risk of cargo diversion to non-EU transhipment hubs. CLECAT also underlines that revenues generated through the EU ETS should be reinvested in the maritime and port logistics ecosystem, supporting decarbonisation efforts across the wider maritime cluster, including investments in port infrastructure, alternative fuels and energy systems.
From strategy to operational reality
Freight forwarders play a key role in ensuring the smooth functioning of supply chains moving through European ports every day. CLECAT also welcomes the Commission’s focus on strengthening connections between ports and their hinterland, including improved multimodal transport options. Enhancing connectivity to ports is essential for ensuring efficient logistics flows and reinforcing the integration of ports within Europe’s transport network.
Recent congestion episodes in several major ports have demonstrated that efficient operations require better coordination between actors across the logistics chain, improved data sharing and seamless integration between maritime and inland transport systems. The strategy rightly emphasises innovation and digitalisation. However, Europe must ensure that innovative technologies developed through research programmes can move beyond the pilot phase and be deployed at scale across ports and logistics networks.
Security and resilience in an increasingly uncertain world
Recent geopolitical developments underline the importance of resilient and secure logistics networks. European ports face growing challenges related to organised crime, cyber threats and geopolitical disruptions affecting global trade routes. CLECAT welcomes the strategy’s focus on strengthening cooperation between ports, customs authorities, law enforcement agencies and logistics operators to protect Europe’s critical supply chain infrastructure. Initiatives such as enhanced cooperation within the European Ports Alliance and the development of an EU framework for background checks for port workers represent important steps. However, security measures must be implemented in a coordinated and proportionate manner to avoid operational disruptions while strengthening the resilience of Europe’s port and logistics system.
Working together to deliver the strategy
CLECAT looks forward to continuing dialogue with the European Commission, Member States and port stakeholders to ensure that the strategy is translated into practical and effective measures.
“A strong European port system depends on cooperation across the entire logistics chain,” added Ms van der Jagt. “The strategy provides an important framework. The next step is ensuring that ports, logistics providers, authorities and industry work together to translate this vision into operational reality.”