EFIP Calls for Ambitious and Inclusive European Port Strategy to Unlock the Potential of Inland Ports
Press Releases
24 July 2025
The European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP) welcomes the development of a European Port Strategy and urges policymakers to fully integrate the role of inland ports as key enablers of green logistics, climate adaptation, and strategic mobility.
Representing 200 inland ports across 19 EU Member States and beyond, EFIP calls for a forward-looking strategy that reflects the critical contribution of inland ports to the European Green Deal, Clean Industrial Deal, and TEN-T priorities.
Key Recommendations Include:
- Streamlining Permitting: Accelerated and harmonised permitting processes are essential to enable timely infrastructure investments.
- Reducing Administrative Burdens: Inland ports—often publicly owned and modest in size—need proportionate reporting requirements under CSRD and related regulations.
- Improving Funding Access: EFIP urges the creation of a dedicated Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) envelope for small and medium-sized projects, alongside greater transparency in the selection process.
- Enhancing Climate Resilience: Ports face growing climate risks, including droughts and flooding. The Port Strategy must provide guidance on climate adaptation and resilience-building.
- Strengthening Military Mobility & Security: Inland ports are vital for European defence logistics. EFIP calls for early consultation on dual-use infrastructure and stronger cybersecurity and physical security guidelines.
“Inland ports are ready to do their part in delivering on Europe’s ambitions for a greener, more resilient, and secure transport network. But we cannot do it alone,” said EFIP Director Turi Fiorito. "The new European Port Strategy must be inclusive of inland ports and provide the tools, funding, and flexibility needed to meet the challenges ahead.”
The European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP) brings together nearly 200 inland ports and port authorities in 18 countries of the European Union, Switzerland, Serbia and Ukraine. EFIP highlights and promotes the role of European inland ports as real intermodal nodal points in the transport and logistic chain, combining inland waterway transport with rail, road, and maritime transport.
For further information, please contact: info@inlandports.be or check our website www.inlandports.eu.
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