MEDPorts Meeting with HE Commissioner for the Mediterranean
On May 14, a MEDports delegation headed by President Pino Musolino met with HE Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, and her closest staff. The meeting served as a valuable opportunity to present the MEDports Association and engage in a constructive dialogue about the current threats, opportunities, and challenges facing the Mediterranean port sector.
During the exchange, MEDports shared a presentation and expressed its full support for the development of the “Pact for the Mediterranean”, a strategic initiative led by the European Commission. This Pact aims to foster greater cooperation, sustainability, and economic development across the Mediterranean region. It is expected to be issued and approved in the coming months and will serve as a roadmap for addressing key regional challenges such as climate change, connectivity, trade, and social cohesion.
MEDports emphasized the importance of ensuring that the voice of the port, logistics, and maritime transport sectors is included in the Pact. As a network representing port authorities across the Mediterranean, MEDports is uniquely positioned to provide practical insights and policy recommendations that reflect the operational realities of the region’s maritime infrastructure.
During the meeting, MEDports outlined the following key areas of focus:
- Port Governance: Advocating for increased autonomy for port authorities in pricing, concessions, infrastructure, and service coordination.
- Electricity Supply: Promoting Onshore Power Supply (OPS) and fair electricity pricing across ports.
- Intra-regional Trade Simplification: Reducing administrative burdens for short sea shipping between EU and non-EU countries.
- Intermodal Connectivity: Enhancing inland and cross-border links between Mediterranean ports and Central Europe to support decarbonization.
- Cruise Tourism: Recognizing its economic value while addressing environmental impacts.
- Decarbonization: Avoiding double taxation if global IMO measures on emissions are implemented.
NECA in the MED: Supporting the EU’s leadership in analyzing the pros and cons of promoting a Nitrogen Emission Control Area in the Mediterranean following the recent SECA implementation