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On 9 April, CLECAT attended the FEPORT Eighth Stakeholders’ Conference in Brussels. Participants had the opportunity to exchange on the current geopolitical situation and the consequences for the competitiveness and resilience of EU ports and maritime supply chain. At this occasion, the joint paper signed by CLECAT on the upcoming maritime and port strategies was officially handed over to the cabinet of Commissioner Tzitzikostas.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, Ms Panagopoulou outlined the European Commission’s priorities for its forthcoming Maritime Industrial and Ports Strategies, set against a backdrop of geopolitical instability, rising protectionism, and the urgent need for climate action. She emphasised that the maritime and port sectors are both highly exposed to global disruptions and central to Europe’s economic resilience and green transition. “Our Maritime Strategy will ensure we are not only prepared for this new era, but ready to lead it,” she said, noting that upcoming initiatives will focus on decarbonisation, digitalisation, security, and competitiveness.

Key pillars of the new strategy include boosting research and innovation for green and digital ships, accelerating investment, strengthening domestic industrial capabilities, and improving military mobility and cybersecurity. Ms Panagopoulou also highlighted the need for fair competition, strategic international partnerships, and collaboration across the EU. “We must modernise port infrastructure and seize every opportunity available,” she stated, urging industry stakeholders to actively participate in the forthcoming consultations. The strategy, she concluded, would be a direct response to the Draghi and Niinistö reports, aligning Europe’s maritime ambitions with broader industrial and defence objectives.

In a debate on the upcoming EU Port Strategy, panel speakers exchanged views on how the EU should develop a renewed framework for ports—one that has remained unchanged since 2013. The discussion focused on the need to ensure that European ports remain competitive while transitioning away from fossil fuels. Speakers underlined the importance of supporting European shipyards and emphasised that port diversification must be backed by sustained investments and access to a mix of alternative energy sources.

Overall, the message from the conference was clear: we are no longer operating in a cooperative world, but in a transactual one - a landscape shaped by shifting relationships, unpredictable developments, and fragmented systems. Indra Vonck told participants that we remain in a state of ongoing disruption that requires a fundamental shift in mindset. Rather than trying to control or forecast long-term outcomes, the focus must turn to what can be actively managed. This means addressing short- and medium-term disruptions that directly impact day-to-day operations. These range from operational challenges and supply chain fragility to the ripple effects of ongoing military conflicts, which must be considered from multiple angles — not only in terms of security but also through their political, economic, and logistical implications.

Trend-driven disruptions, while more predictable, also demand proactive strategies. Speakers pointed to current pressures, including disruptions in energy supply and costs, and a growing shift away from the integrated global trade model we once relied on. The prospect is that we are steady moving towards ‘slowbalisation’, a fragmentation of global trade and a rise in regionalisation.

Another key theme was the return of tariffs as a policy tool. As tariffs re-emerge, they bring with them reciprocity measures that can quickly escalate, affecting shipping volumes, trade lanes, and costs. In this new reality, companies must adapt to structural uncertainty. The goal is not to wait for stability, but to build operational resilience by focusing on what can be predicted, controlled, and improved in the short term. Importantly, this includes cybersecurity which can be predicted and anticipated and therefore needs continuous monitoring was the message from a cyberspecialist.