The energy transition and digitisation are the two strategic challenges facing large industrial ports. In addition, the EU can offer port authorities and industrial clusters significant incentives to achieve the transition toward the CO2-neutral ports of the future. For this reason, Antwerp and Rotterdam Port Authorities will organise a joint event for European policy makers, with contributions from experts from the world of science, industry and logistics.
‘The Added Value of Ports’ event took place in Brussels on 11 September, aiming to alert the new European Commission and European Parliament for the economic significance of these ports and the contribution they can make to future European trade, transport and industry policy.
European Union support is essential for the infrastructure investments needed to realise the Energy Transition. The development of infrastructure forms the basis of a successful energy transition. This means connecting production locations within and between industrial clusters. We need the European Union for this
Port of Rotterdam’s COO Ronald Paul, stated.
In addition, Jacques Vandermeiren, noted that ports are leaders of the energy transition, with large port clusters being ideal places to achieve the transition. As a result, the Ports are counting on European Union support for supportive regulations and financial incentives for projects for which the business cases are inconclusive.
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
Examples of projects that the European Union can enable include Carbon Capture and Storage, hydrogen infrastructure, the development of offshore wind farms on the North Sea and the enhancement of the Green Energy Grid for the landing of offshore wind power.
As far as the Port of Rotterdam is concerned, the energy transition task is to collaborate with companies and other partners in three steps towards a CO2-neutral port by 2050.
Regarding the Port of Antwerp, transition is one of its five strategic pillars. The Port of Antwerp Authority’s climate policy is part of this, with an action-oriented step-by-step plan based on the climate innovation and climate mitigation pillars.
The new European Commission formally applies on 1 November 2019 for a total of five years.
