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2015 European Sea Ports Conference Comes to Athens

Photo source: OLP

Photo source: OLP

ESPO: “No ports, no energy – No energy, no ports!”

espo-conference-2015Ports and energy is the theme of this year’s annual conference of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), which will be hosted by the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP).

The 12th European Sea Ports Conference will take place on May 21-22 at the Athens Ledra Hotel.

Recently, the European Commission released its energy security strategy, in which it developed a set of short- and long-term measures to ensure a stable and abundant supply of energy for European citizens and the economy. In October 2014, the European Council endorsed the 27 percent renewable energy and 30 percent energy efficiency improvement targets.

The Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) is the host of the 12th European Sea Ports Conference. Pictured is the president and CEO of Piraeus Port Authority, Yiorgos Anomeritis (second from right) at a recent press conference on the event. Photo source: OLP

The Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) is the host of the 12th European Sea Ports Conference. Pictured is the president and CEO of Piraeus Port Authority, Yiorgos Anomeritis (second from right) at a recent press conference on the event. Photo source: OLP

Currently the EU imports more than half the energy it consumes. Most of these imports go through European ports. This means that around 40 percent of all commodities handled in European ports are sources of energy.

Moreover, European ports are important clusters of industry. It goes without saying that a change in energy policy will alter business in European ports. Are ports getting ready?

The ESPO 2015 conference aims to look at the role of ports in the changing energy policy framework.

The conference will kick-off by drawing a clear picture of what is currently at stake in Europe, and the wider world. What are the most realistic energy scenarios and how will these affect transport, ports and port industries?

The conference will look further at the way ports can respond and possibly benefit from these developments. How will the shift to alternative energies in maritime transport and other transport modes affect ports? To what extent can Europe’s decarbonisation agenda bring new business for ports? How can ports improve energy efficiency in their daily functioning?

The conference will also be an occasion to engage in an exchange of views on the policy priorities of the new Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc.

The European Parliament’s rapporteur on the Port Regulation, Knut Fleckenstein MEP, will also participate in the conference and it is expected that port regulation will remain high on the conference agenda.

Registration is required to participate in the conference.

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