Audible response

Consultation response to 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 at the latest.

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

It is the goal of the European Commission and Danish Ports to make it possible for ships in port to connect to green energy. DanskeHaven'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 green connectivity should not be limited to e.g. shore power. 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 the 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, just as it was the case with wind turbines in its time, a business and climate success that Danish ports also play a major role in. Ports should be recognized for their role as energy hubs both now and in the future.

Finally, Ports Denmark points out that during the Corona crisis, European ports have proven essential in ensuring the continuity of supply chains. Ports are resilient and agile and 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 ahead. This is a role that the Commission should recognize more in its strategy.

Sincerely yours

Susanne Isaksen
Deputy Director, Danish Ports.