EUSAIR Workshop – Green Ports in the future of the Adriatic-Ionian region: A strategic dialogue on decarbonisation, competitiveness and skills

The workshop is part of the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR) and served as a key opportunity for dialogue among European institutions, port representatives, industry operators, and the education sector.

The session was opened by Pierluigi Coppola, EUSAIR Pillar II Transport Coordinator, and Carlo Fortuna, Programme Manager of the Central European Initiative, who emphasized the importance of an integrated approach to the green transition in Adriatic-Ionian ports.

Key contributions included:

• Andrea Ballarin (CEI) introduced the analytical framework behind the initiative;
• Peter Czaga (European Commission, DG MOVE) presented EU policies for port decarbonisation;
• Isabelle Ryckbost (ESPO) shared the European ports’ perspective on the green transition;
• Reza Karimpour (Magellan Circle) showcased the “Port Energy Transition Masterplan”;
• Giuseppe Siciliano (PTSCLAS) discussed EUSAIR’s role in defining green and smart ports in the region.

The workshop explored the role of energy and digital transition in Adriatic-Ionian ports, focusing on innovative and sustainable technologies, shared challenges and opportunities to meet climate goals while maintaining energy efficiency, and identifying training needs to support the green transition, contributing to the broader goals of the European Pact for Skills.

The discussion highlighted:
✔️ Main challenges in port decarbonisation
✔️ Future perspectives of EU and macroregional policies
✔️ Recognition of ports as key players in the green transition and industrial competitiveness

The “Green Ports” initiative will continue in the coming months with a workshop dedicated to training institutes and universities in the EUSAIR area (September 2025), culminating in an in-person workshop in Trieste on October 16, 2025, titled “Green and Smart Ports: Shaping the Future of Green Transition and Skills Development in the Adriatic-Ionian Region”.

Deeper insight into the Green Ports Initiative: challenges, policies, and the role of ports in the Green transition

The EU ports industry remains a cornerstone of the European economy. In 2023, 74 % of goods by volume entering or leaving the EU were transported via seaports, and 47 % of the value of extra‑EU trade moved by sea — including 44 % of exports and 51 % of imports, according to Eurostat.

However, these vital infrastructures are responsible for a significant rise in environmental impacts in terms of carbon emissions, soil & water pollution, and loss of biodiversity, among others. Not in vain, maritime transport in the EU accounts for approximately 13% of its transport GHG emissions. This fact puts the greening of the port’s emitting activities as a necessary step to achieve the ambitious goals for 2030 (55% reduction) and 2050 (net zero).

As Europe intensifies its climate ambitions under the European Green Deal and “Fit for 55” package, seaports have emerged as strategic nodes in the race to decarbonise transport and industry. The Green Ports Initiative is a cornerstone in this effort, positioning ports as both green energy hubs and enablers of regional competitiveness. Yet, this transition is not without significant challenges.

Main Challenges in Port Decarbonisation

One of the foremost challenges facing port authorities is the high upfront cost of decarbonisation infrastructure—such as shore power systems, battery storage, and electrified cargo handling equipment. As highlighted by Sener Group (2024), these upgrades often require “significant investment with long payback periods,” a major obstacle for smaller ports lacking access to capital.

In addition, legacy infrastructure creates physical and technical constraints. According to IncoDocs (2023), many ports were designed decades ago and are ill-suited for retrofitting with renewable energy systems or alternative fuel bunkering, complicating efforts to deploy modern technologies like smart grids or green hydrogen.

Regulatory fragmentation is another concern. A Seanergy Project (2023) report underscores the "lack of harmonised permitting processes across EU countries," leading to delays and uncertainty for port developers. In some regions, ports face multi-year waits for harbour order approvals and struggle with overlapping competencies between local, national, and EU bodies.

Finally, the port ecosystem involves multiple actors—terminal operators, shipping companies, municipalities—often with diverging interests. Terminautical (2023) points out that this “multi-stakeholder complexity” is a bottleneck in rolling out coordinated decarbonisation plans.

Future Perspectives of EU and Macroregional Policies

The European Green Deal recognises ports as critical assets in the energy transition. Through policy frameworks such as the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and “Green Deal Master Plans,” the EU is encouraging each port to tailor its green transition based on local assets—such as offshore wind integration, hydrogen terminals, or circular resource systems. As noted by ISPI Italian Institute for International Political Studies (2021), these tailored plans seek to make ports “both greener and more economically resilient.”

Additionally, the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) now includes emissions from maritime transport and port operations as of 2024, creating financial incentives for the use of clean fuels and shore power. According to Moffatt & Nichol (2024), the ETS has made “investment in low-carbon port operations more economically viable.”

Macroregional cooperation is also increasing. Initiatives like Seanergy promote cross-border learning, co-funding for green technology pilots, and standard-setting for digital platforms and sustainability reporting. These networks play a key role in transferring innovation across the European port landscape.

Recognition of Ports as Key Players in Green Transition and Industrial Competitiveness

The role of ports is expanding beyond logistics to becoming clean energy and industrial hubs. As described in a DNV (2024) report, ports are increasingly being reimagined as “multi-vector nodes,” where electricity, hydrogen, and ammonia intersect with industry, transport, and shipping. This evolution is essential not only for climate goals but for securing Europe’s competitiveness in future green value chains.

Smart technologies are amplifying this transformation. According to Identec Solutions (2023), digital twins, AI-based logistics, and port community systems are enabling more efficient, low-emission operations that attract cargo from global shippers seeking sustainable supply chains.

Environmental and social licensing is also becoming a strategic asset. Ports such as Antwerp and Valencia have adopted certifications like EcoPorts, ISO 14001, and Green Marine, which improve transparency, attract funding, and foster public trust (IncoDocs, 2023).

Finally, ports contribute to macro-economic resilience. As underlined by Financial Times (2024), green ports are not just environmental assets—they serve as catalysts for regional development, offshore energy integration, and industrial clustering, placing Europe in a stronger position in the global green economy.