05/02/2025
Nov 20 2024
A competitive and resilient Europe requires a stronger EU transport budget
The new European Commission is currently working on a reform of the EU budget. Under the proposed plan, transport infrastructure financing would be streamlined into a single funding program for each Member State. As a result, funding for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), a vital tool for developing transport infrastructure and achieving the objectives of the TEN-T policy, would be reduced. BPO asserts that only by ensuring sufficient financial instruments at the EU level can the development of a pan-European transport network, including ports, be effectively secured.
Furthermore, the new European Commission should recognize ports as a crucial component of the TEN-T policy. Given the current geopolitical landscape, the significance of ports has grown, as they play a vital role in energy security, the supply of critical goods to societies, and military mobility. Ports also contribute to decarbonization, not only within their own operations but across the maritime sector and industry as a whole. To enhance their role within the broader EU transport network, boost the competitiveness of European industries, and ensure the supply of green energy, ports must be prioritized in EU investment policies. This is especially critical in regions like the Baltic Sea, where security concerns are particularly pressing.
Open letter as a united message from Europe’s transport sector
For these reasons, Baltic Ports Organization, in conjunction with 44 other entities, has submitted an open letter to the Ministers of the General Affairs Council and the Ministers of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council. The document outlines the reasons why a competitive and resilient Europe requires a stronger EU transport budget.