Changes from plenary report to adopted text

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in particular Title XVIII thereof,

– having regard to the Commission communication of 1 June 2023 entitled ‘Maritime safety: at the heart of clean and modern shipping’ (COM(2023)0268),

– having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 10 March 2023 on the update of the EU Maritime Security Strategy and its Action Plan entitled ‘An enhanced EU Maritime Security Strategy for evolving maritime threats’ (JOIN(2023)0008),

– having regard to the Maritime Security Strategy Action Plan adopted by the European Council on 24 June 2014,

– having regard to Council conclusions on the revision of the EU Maritime Security Strategy Action Plan adopted by the European Council on 26 June 2018,

– having regard to the Commission’s ‘Fit for 55’ package of 14 July 2021 to deliver the European Green Deal,

– having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),

– having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 entitled ‘EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives’ (COM(2020)0380),

– having regard to Directive 2007/60/EC of 23 October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks,

– having regard to Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources,

– having regard to the Commission communication of 23 May 2013 entitled ‘Ports: an engine for growth’ (COM(2013)0295),

– having regard to the Commission communication of 18 October 2023 on the EU Roadmap to fight Drug Trafficking and Organised Crime,

– having regard to the EU Action Plan: ‘Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil’,

– having regard to the Ambient Air Quality Directive (2022/0347(COD) [under negotiation],

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, and repealing Directive 2014/94/EU,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport, and amending Directive 2009/16/EC,

– having regard to Directive (EU) 2022/2557 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on the resilience of critical entities and repealing Council Directive 2008/114/EC,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2019 establishing a framework for the screening of foreign direct investments into the Union,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2017/352 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 February 2017 establishing a framework for the provision of port services and common rules on the financial transparency of ports,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network and repealing Decision No 661/2010/EU,

– having regard to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 906/2009 of 28 September 2009 on the application of Article 81(3) of the Treaty to certain categories of agreements, decisions and concerted practices between liner shipping companies (consortia), and the Communication to the Commission of 10 October 2023 on its expiry on 25 April 2024,

– having regard to its resolution of 16 September 2021 on a new EU-China strategy,

– having regard to its resolution of 27 April 2021 on technical and operational measures for more efficient and cleaner maritime transport,

– having regard to its resolution of 12 March 2019 on security threats connected with the rising Chinese technological presence in the EU and possible action on the EU level to reduce them,

– having regard to the study of September 2023 entitled ‘Chinese Investments in European Maritime Infrastructure’, requested by the Committee on Transport and Tourism,

– having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on International Trade,

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (A9-0443/2023),

A. whereas our ports are the EU’s gateways to the world and as such play a crucial role in its economy, providing wealth and jobs, by facilitating external trade, connecting to the hinterland, ensuring growth in the blue economy and industrial production, the energy transition and security of energy supplies, as well as the EU’s strategic autonomy;

B. whereas ports provide a vital public service, for which they should be recognised and valued;

C. whereas, while competition between ports is beneficial, a race to the bottom between them at the cost of security or increased political influence or foreign control via investments by non-EU entities, in particular state-owned-controlled-or-influenced enterprises, should be avoided;

D. whereas non-EU state-owned enterprises, or enterprises directly or indirectly controlled by foreign states have strategically increased their financial and operational stakes in European ports, terminals, companies and port infrastructure;

E. whereas the European Union has highlighted its desire for more autonomy in strategic sectors, but has done little to respond to China’s growth in the maritime sector and its security repercussions;

F. whereas ports are highly complex environments with many different stakeholders and interests, making recognising and assessing the risks of foreign influence an arduous but crucial exercise;

G. whereas the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has demonstrated the unacceptable risks of being dependent on single non-EU countries in strategic sectors as well as the crucial need to strengthen the security and the resilience of maritime infrastructure and value chains so as to ensure the flow of vital goods;

H. whereas ports have taken on renewed importance from a military and defence point of view, including the dual use of port infrastructures;

I. whereas European ports often compete with third-country ports in which third-country foreign investments are further exacerbating the lack of a level playing field when it comes to competitiveness and respect for sustainability standards, workers’ rights and fiscal burdens;

J. whereas particular attention should be paid to the negative effects of evasive behaviours via the relocation of transhipment activities to ports outside the EU, both in terms of undermining the competitiveness of EU ports and increasing carbon leakages;

K. whereas ports have played an indispensable role in EU crisis management by ensuring the continuity of supply chains and enabling alternative routes to be set up, including by establishing alternative routes for the provision of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at short notice and increasing Europe’s gas storage;

L. whereas in outermost regions and islands ports often provide a lifeline by serving as the main social and economic connection to the rest of the EU;

M. whereas ports are essential for the decarbonisation of waterborne transport, taking into account the Green Deal and pollution reduction goals and the essential role of offshore renewable energy; whereas it is important to reduce air pollution from ships in port areas, including black carbon emissions;

N. whereas port areas and port operations throughout the EU will be vulnerable to sea level rise;

O. whereas ports combine and safeguard a variety of different coastal activities for the benefit of citizens, coastal communities and the marine environment by helping to maintain coastal habitats and improve air quality in conurbations around ports;

P. whereas improved logistics planning between ports and customers, including shipping lines, could avoid unnecessary road transport across Europe; whereas more cooperation between ports, with the aim of tightening intra-regional links and shortening connections, could lead to more efficient investments in port infrastructure, more resilient import/export routes, and a more efficient use of resources, of public and private money, and of underutilised capacities;

Q. whereas ports are part of a wider waterborne ecosystem comprising a wide range of activities, including shipping, shipbuilding, maritime equipment manufacturing, inland navigation and logistics;

R. whereas the apparent need for a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to European ports has not been translated into concrete measures by the Commission, resulting in a patchwork of port-related regulations that has built up over time;