Audible response
Danish Ports' Response to the Commission's Port Strategy
Danish Ports would like to thank the EU
for the opportunity to submit comments on the Commission’s port strategy.
Danish Ports requests that the summary below be included in the Memorandum on the Principles of Subsidiarity and Proportionality
to the European Affairs Committee of the Danish Parliament and incorporated into the Danish position on the EU proposal:
- Danish Ports fully agrees with the strategy’s focus on the urgent need for
an ambitious and expanded framework for the role of commercial ports in
the energy transition, including with regard to shore power, energy projects, and prioritized
access to grid connections. The implementation must ensure that the ports are
better positioned to compete and that the initiatives do not make it more expensive for the ports
to operate—quite the contrary. - Danish Ports emphasizes the need to quickly establish better national
framework conditions, including permanent tax exemptions on electricity for ships,
priority access to the power grid, and increased utilization of EU funds. Danish commercial ports
should no longer be at a competitive disadvantage compared to foreign ports,
as our neighboring countries fully legally provide state aid for the dredging of
shipping channels, shore power, new quay facilities for offshore wind, etc. - Danish Ports welcomes the port strategy’s focus on security of supply
, which should be supported by Denmark’s efforts to secure
even more EU funding for commercial ports.
Danish Ports welcomes the European Commission’s strategic focus on the role of ports
in the energy transition, including shore power, energy projects, and grid connection.
, these are absolutely crucial elements if ports are to function as central
hubs in the green transition, and Denmark should work to ensure that the ambitions
in these areas are maintained and strengthened as the process moves forward.
Danish Ports emphasizes the need to ensure the right framework conditions, including
the introduction of a permanent tax exemption on electricity for ships. This is a necessary
prerequisite for shore power projects to be realized in practice and on a large scale,
so that both local and global environmental benefits can be reaped. At the same time, the EU’s port strategy should
be used as a lever to strengthen the planning of energy supply to
ports in general.
At the same time, it is crucial that Denmark quickly translates the intentions of the port strategy
into concrete national measures. Danske Havne therefore recommends that
a dedicated port unit be established within the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Utilities, which
, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, works purposefully to update
legislation and ensure the best possible conditions for the ports. This applies in particular to
ensuring that port projects are prioritized by grid operators and that there are
clear and streamlined processes for grid connection.
Danish Ports also notes the strategy’s increased focus on security and
geopolitics, including foreign investment in critical port infrastructure. Danish Ports (
) recognizes the need for increased attention to security and resilience.
However, it is important that regulations are balanced so that ports can continue to attract
necessary investments and develop as competitive hubs.
The rules should therefore be clear and proportionate so that they do not create unnecessary
barriers to investment and development.
Finally, there should be a strong focus on securing EU funding so that Danish
commercial ports can be further strengthened as a central part of the foundation for the
green transition and Europe’s energy infrastructure without undermining
competitiveness.
Danish Ports is pleased to contribute to the ongoing dialogue regarding the national implementation of the
and Denmark’s position in the EU’s continued work on
in the port sector.
