Hearing response

Consultation on the Commission's strategy for sustainable and smart mobility

Danish Ports welcomes the Commission's strategy for sustainable and smart mobility, and we look forward to the many concrete initiatives that the Commission will present in the coming years.

Danish Ports supports the Commission's goal of a 90% CO2 reduction in the transport sector by 2050 and we support the Commission's technology-neutral approach to the issue. Danish Ports' own green ambition is for ports to be CO2 neutral by 2030.

Danish Ports also supports the vision of a 50% growth for Short Sea Shipping by 2050. It is Danish Ports' conviction that this mode of transportation is a climate-friendly and economically sound way to move goods.

It is the Commission's and also Danish Ports' goal that it should be possible for ships in port to connect to green energy. DanskeHavne's goal is that all ships calling at Danish commercial ports will be able to connect to green energy by 2030 at the latest.

However, it is important to us that the green connectivity should not be limited to e.g. shore power. The Danish commercial ports have different sizes, locations and customer bases, resulting in different needs. Therefore, it should not be a goal in itself that all ports should have shore power systems.

The cost of green transition, especially with new technology such as hydrogen and shore power, is high. Therefore, the green transition must also be helped to get started, as was the case with wind turbines in the past, a business and climate success in which Danish ports also play a major role. Both now and in the future, ports should be recognized for their role as energy hubs.

Finally, Danish Ports should point out that European ports have proven essential during the Corona crisis in ensuring the continuity of supply chains. Ports are resilient and agile hubs that ensure connectivity with the rest of the world. As such, ports have an important role to play as engines of growth and recovery in the years to come. This is a role that the Commission should recognize more in its strategy.

Sincerely yours

Susanne Isaksen
Deputy Director, Danish Ports.