European Commission unveils ports strategy for sea and inland ports

According to the German Transport Forum (DVF), the strategy announces adjusted EU state-aid rules for the port sector, consideration of alternative marine fuels in the Energy Union package and a faster ramp-up through the forthcoming AFIR revision, and it addresses port security; the DVF calls for massive public and private investment and less red tape.

The European Commission presented its ports strategy on 4 March 2026; it expressly covers sea and inland ports. According to the German Transport Forum (DVF), it announces, among other things, adjustments to EU state-aid rules for ports, consideration of alternative marine fuels in the Energy Union package and a faster ramp-up through the forthcoming AFIR revision, and it addresses the security situation of ports. The DVF welcomes the strategy but calls for massive investment by the public sector and the port industry, faster permitting, more legal certainty on the Water Framework Directive and clarified responsibilities and funding for protection against drone overflights (LOK Report, 4 Mar 2026).