EP PUBLISHES DRAFT REPORT ON EUROPEAN PORT STRATEGY
On 20 September, the Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament released its own-initiative draft report on the development of a comprehensive Port Strategy at the EU level, focusing on foreign investments in European ports, especially from China.
The Rapporteur MEP Tom Berendsen (EPP, NL) highlights the security threats from foreign entities in European ports in his draft report, urging the European Commission to create an EU-wide policy framework to monitor foreign entities and reduce their influence. The draft report encourages Member States to enact legislation to regain control of maritime infrastructure and to develop plans for potential conflict scenarios.
The draft report also emphasises the importance of technology advocating for an increase in the use of trusted technologies to ensure a high level of cybersecurity to prevent espionage and disruptions in port operations, enhancing EU cooperation to combat drug-related crimes and discontinuing the use of non-EU state-controlled platforms when sharing data in logistics.
The Committee will review the draft report on 9 October, and MEPs have until October 12 to propose amendments. Adoption is expected on 7 December 2023.
The draft report can be access via this link.