The two crucial working days for European port operations, organized by Assoporti, as a founding member of Espo – European Sea Ports Organisation, have concluded in Rome. The meetings brought together the members of Espo’s Port Governance Committee and Executive Committee, in the presence of the president and vice presidents of the European organization.
Italy, represented by Assoporti and several Autorità di Sistema Portuale, actively participated in the work, which focused on defining new strategies for the Mediterranean area, which is increasingly central to the balance of European and global port operations.
During the meetings, the strategic importance of the Mediterranean and Italy in particular was reiterated, emphasizing how direct and loyal dialogue between the different actors is essential to reposition the country at the center of European policies on port operations and maritime transport.
It emerged that only through concrete collaboration will it be possible to positively influence the future choices of the European Union and avoid the adoption of regulations that risk damaging the national maritime sector. In this context, the role of Assoporti and the Autorità di Sistema Portuale proved decisive for influencing European institutions. Thanks to the work of the Italian representatives in the Espo committees – the association’s note explains – Italy will be able to strengthen its alliances and contribute significantly to the ongoing continental strategies, while at the same time enhancing the specificities of its port system.
On the sidelines of the meetings, Rodolfo Giampieri, president of Assoporti, emphasized the importance of bringing the Italian voice to Europe: “The Mediterranean area has always been strategic for maritime transport and our ports have demonstrated a great capacity for adaptation even during the most difficult moments of recent years. We are working in a coordinated manner with the Autorità di Sistema Portuale to be influential in European decision-making processes and to prevent the approval of penalizing regulations for the sector.”
President Giampieri also highlighted how the participation of the Adsp representatives in the Rome meetings is a “concrete signal of the willingness to build a leading Italian port system capable of influencing the proposals that will be sent to the European Union and of reaffirming Italy’s natural role in this sector.” and added: “There are great challenges awaiting us, such as the Mattei Plan, and the port sector wants to actively participate in the ongoing change.”.
