In Brussels, the issue of ports was discussed again: the European Union has the task of putting them back at the centre of its political agenda by dedicating a European Summit to them.
On 7 December, the European Parliament's Transport Committee discussed the European Port Strategy, a legislative initiative on the role that European ports play in the economy and governance of geopolitics.
The discussion started from the value of EU maritime ports which, as the above-mentioned text indicates, “play a crucial role in the economy, provide jobs, facilitate foreign trade, energy transition and decarbonisation”.
The aspect that is mainly highlighted is that this role is currently played more by Beijing and by all the operators who, despite being on European soil, are directly linked to the Chinese government.
The issue raises several concerns regarding possible European economic dependence on China, espionage and even possible sabotage.
Therefore, the parliamentary committee calls for limiting foreign influence in EU ports, therefore the European Commission and national governments should carry out a risk assessment of the involvement of China and other non-EU countries in maritime infrastructure.
However, while it is called for a limitation of Beijing's presence in the European Union's maritime ports, at the same time it is desired to have a greater European presence on Chinese docks, in the name of reciprocity and equal conditions.
The text also highlights the fact that “China prohibits EU shipping companies from carrying out cabotage operations between Chinese ports, while this is not the case for Chinese companies operating in EU ports”.
What else does the European port strategy require ?
In addition to the desire for greater autonomy in certain sectors, which currently clashes with China's protagonism, the EU has as a priority to strengthen the security and resilience of maritime infrastructure to ensure the flow of primary goods and raw materials to our economy but also to diversify supplies in the event of threats or unexpected phenomena such as wars or pandemics.
Port security is a very important point also because of the possible threat from criminal organizations for the trafficking of illicit substances that would have direct consequences not only on the security of the ports but also on that of the cities adjacent to them and on the quality of life of the citizens.
What's the next step?
It calls for the organization of a European port summit.
The European Commission is urged to present a European Port Strategy by the end of 2024.
MEPs hope that the text will be approved by the committee and brought to the floor during the January plenary session.
