In this article, Isabelle Ryckbost, secretary general, ESPO, discusses how ports are collaborating to realise the green transition.

During the last ten years, ports have moved further in the direction of corporatisation and of becoming commercial companies paying taxes, similar to any other company.

Tonnes still play an important role, but, on top of becoming more “commercial”, the public responsibilities and roles of ports are also on the rise. As mission-driven entities, Europe’s ports remain engaged in goals of general interest, contributing to the ambitions Europe is putting forward - decarbonisation and the energy transition being by far the most important ones.