12th European Sea Ports Conference in Athens focuses on ports' role in sustainable energy

Piraeus port hosted of the 12th European Sea Ports (ESPO) Conference held for the first time in Greece from May 21 to 22.

The themes of this year's annual meeting was the significance of energy to ports, the role of ports in changing the energy policy framework, and on ESPO's position on the review of the European Commission's 2011 White Paper, a blueprint for a resource-efficient transport system.

In addition, it highlighted the need for a unified European policy that can respond to the enduring competitive environment across the globe.

• European ports should play a crucial role in moving towards a low-carbon transport system and economy, keynote speakers said, among them the European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, the European Parliament's rapporteur on Port Regulation, Knut Fleckenstein, and representatives from European ports.

Without losing its diversity, each port should enhance a legislative framework for a long-term vision Fleckenstein said. "There is not one solution for all ports, we want to guarantee the autonomy of each port," he explained.

"All European ports are linked to the lives of its citizens, and to a sustainable environment that must be protected, in accordance to the rules of competition, productivity and transparency," said George Anomeritis, president and CEO of Piraeus Port Authority.

In line with Fleckenstein, Greek Deputy Minister of Economy, Infrastructure, Maritime Affairs and Tourism, Theodoros Dritsas presented four rules for the development of ports in Europe.

They were: protecting the workforce, consolidating an environmental regulatory framework, reinforcing the connection between the city and the port, and delivering a social dividend.

"Under these rules, the European port industry can face international challenges with a social face that would also be sustainable for the future," he said at the closing day of the conference.
   Source:Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
23/5/15