The European Commission has published a new initiative to improve port operations and onward transport connections at 319 key seaports along Europe’s coastline, 43 of which are in the UK. The guidelines and legal changes being proposed will help port operators upgrade their services and facilities, as well as have more financial autonomy.

Some 74% of the goods entering or leaving Europe go by sea, but one fifth of that amount currently passes through just three ports: Rotterdam, Hamburg and Antwerp. This imbalance between port performance results in congestion and extra costs for shippers, transport operators and consumers. The new proposals could save the European economy up to €10 billion by 2030 and help develop new short sea links.

Vice-President Siim Kallas, European Commissioner for mobility and transport, said: “Our seaports are vital gateways, linking our transport corridors to the rest of the world. We already have some of the finest port facilities in the world. We need to keep them. But we are facing major challenges in terms of congestion, traffic growth and investment. More of our ports need to reach these high standards. The proposals today will bring Europe’s port services into the 21st century, help attract investment and create jobs where they are most needed.”

The Commission’s port review focuses on these 319 ports as a basis for a highly functioning European ports network managing 96% of goods and 93% of passengers which transit through the EU ports.

The initiative comprises of a communication that reviews the European port policy and announces eight Commission actions and a focused legislative proposal to the European Parliament and to the Council in order to introduce the new legal provisions required to deliver the policy and objectives.

The proposal must be approved by the European Parliament and EU member states’ ministers before being adopted under the normal legislative procedure