By Marek Grzybowski

The Parliament and the Council of the EU reached an agreement on the revision of the regulation on the trans-European transport corridors TEN-T in December 2023. The new regulation amends the previous regulation from 2013. The most important EU institutions emphasize that ports play an important role as important nodes of the European transport network. – The European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO) strongly supports the decision of EU regulatory authorities to include ports in the European TEN-T transport network – emphasizes the ESPO management in a statement. In line with the agreement reached and ESPO’s suggestions over the years, the port’s position in the TEN-T network will now be assessed not only on the basis of tonnes handled, but also on its contribution to the energy transition. The revised TEN-T regulation should put the transport sector on a path to reducing emissions by 90%. It responds to the need to improve connections across Europe, increase the resilience of the transport system, and shift more passengers and goods to sustainable modes of transport. The idea is to focus activities on sustainable urban mobility, in a communication the European Commission explains the essence of changes in EU transport networks.

A course towards sustainable development The new guidelines postulate that in order to supplement the missing connections and modernize the entire network, quality standards should be raised. One of the basic goals is to undertake modernization activities on railway connections. As a result, by 2040, the main TEN-T passenger railway lines should enable trains to run at speeds of 160 km/h or more. Attention was also paid to the development of inland navigation. Canals and rivers should be regulated to ensure good navigation conditions for the maximum number of days a year. Land, inland and sea transshipment terminals need to be improved. – Today’s agreement is a milestone on the way to better and sustainable connectivity in Europe. The TEN-T guidelines are a key instrument of EU transport policy that will significantly contribute to strengthening EU cohesion and stimulating economic growth and jobs, said Óscar Puente, Spanish Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, after announcing the changes introduced to the TEN network -T.

Key ports in the energy transformation ESPO notes that European ports play a key role in Europe’s energy transformation and security of energy supply. They are building and strengthening supply chains for the new energy system. Significant efforts and investments are needed because new energy sources pose specific needs in terms of transport, infrastructure, connections, storage and new supply chains. – Ports are adapting to new realities and adapting and developing their infrastructure and processes accordingly. It is important that European legislation does the same and supports ports in their efforts to generate high added value for European society, emphasizes ESPO management. – Even if volumes and tonnes remain an important indicator for ports as nodes in the logistics chain, it is no longer the only indicator of performance. The decision to include ports playing an important role in energy supplies in the TEN-T network is a huge step forward, says ESPO Secretary General Isabelle Ryckbost.

More: Sea ports are strong nodes of the TEN-T network guaranteeing the EU’s energy security https://www.bssc.pl/2024/01/22/sea-ports-are-strong-nodes-of-the-ten-t-…