“Today a comprehensive strategy to protect European port infrastructure from foreign interference, for example from China, is lacking,” said MEP Kathleen Van Brempt (Vooruit). On her initiative, the European Parliament calls on the European Commission to work on a European ports strategy.
The strategic importance of our ports and port infrastructure is not new. Nor are the concerns about foreign interference in our ports. “China is using its economic power and maritime sector to gain increasing influence in critical infrastructure in Europe,” says Van Brempt. “In numerous ports across the European Union, we see the influence of foreign powers and China in particular growing.” From the port of Piraeus in Greece, where two-thirds of shares are owned by Chinese state-owned COSCO Shipping, to the ports of Hamburg and Zeebrugge, where the same COSCO owns part of terminal.
“The increase in foreign investment in European container seaports threatens to make us more politically, as well as economically, dependent on third countries like China. This is unwise for critical infrastructure anyway, but in times of crisis such as during an energy crisis, a war or a pandemic, it is also downright threatening to our security and our economy.” Experts from academia and the Belgian Coordination Committee for Intelligence and Security also previously pointed out the dangers of foreign interference in critical infrastructure.
No patchwork of initiatives
In recent years, the European Union has taken many measures that have an impact on our ports. At the same time, the Union also took some steps to counter foreign interference. “But ports are particularly complex and sit at the crossroads of several policy areas, such as transport, industry, international trade, energy, climate and geopolitics. With a patchwork of initiatives, there is a risk of gaps and contradictions. This is precisely why we need one clear and comprehensive strategy that connects the different perspectives.”
Van Brempt placed the matter on the agenda of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee and received cross-party support for a report on the need for a European port strategy. The report will be voted on by the European Parliament plenary later this week.
Reduce risks and increase security
To reduce the risk of foreign interference, the Commission should establish a policy framework that can limit the influence and control of non-EU countries in our ports. For instance, the parliament calls for a review and strengthening of the European screening mechanism for foreign direct investment and wants to introduce legislation that would allow control of ports to be taken back in conflict situations. “In the event of a conflict, for example with China or Russia, we must prevent those countries from using the presence of their companies in our ports against us. We must be able to maintain control over our own infrastructure at all times,” Van Brempt said. The parliament also wants additional research into unfair competition, such as the formation of alliances between different shipping companies.
Additional efforts should also be made to increase security in and around our ports. “Measures must be taken to better protect the infrastructure in our ports, but also at sea,” said Van Brempt. “Today that infrastructure, just think of pipelines or offshore wind farms, is too vulnerable to sabotage or attacks from outside.” The parliament also wants to further step up the fight against drug trafficking and other illegal trade in our ports.
But whoever says ports also says technology and data. “In terms of cybersecurity, there is still a lot of work to be done,” says Van Brempt. “The Commission should examine the involvement of non-EU companies in cyber and data security, technology and border equipment at our ports.” It also calls for the development of contingency plans to increase the resilience of our cyber infrastructure. The European Union should also allocate more resources to encourage and support innovation and digitalisation of our ports.
Energy, climate and competitiveness
Ports also play a crucial role in energy and climate policy. “We must ensure that ports can fully assume that role,” says Van Brempt. “We want to work on accelerated authorisation procedures to further encourage investments in solar and wind energy in our ports and call on the Commission to invest in better rail and inland waterway access to our ports.” The parliament also wants ports to be included in circular economy action plans.
All this is important to strengthen the competitiveness of our ports in the future. “But for that, we also need to invest in human capital,” says Van Brempt. “The tightening labour market is also making itself felt in our ports and the need for technically skilled workers in the maritime industry is high. Member states should make additional efforts on upskilling and retraining to address that problem.”
Van Brempt is looking forward to the adoption of the initiative report and is counting on broad parliamentary support. “This is the result of good cooperation across party lines and shows the European Parliament’s support for our European ports. After the vote in plenary, it will be up to the European Commission to get to work on our recommendations and work towards a truly European ports strategy.”
Background
The European ports strategy report will be voted on by plenary on Wednesday. In the Committee on Transport and Tourism, the initiative report could be approved by a chamber-wide majority. 39 MPs voted in favour; 0 MPs voted against. The rapporteur is Tom Berendsen (EPP). Van Brempt was the chief negotiator on behalf of the social democratic S&D group.