Ports of Normandy, in partnership with MEPs Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renew Europe) and Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (S&D), hosted a high-level conference at the European Parliament on the role of regional ports in the ecological transition and the future financing of maritime infrastructure beyond 2027. Supported by the Normandy Region, the event brought together European lawmakers, Commission representatives, port authorities, and maritime stakeholders.
Opening the discussions, Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region and Ports de Normandie, underlined the strategic importance of regional ports in ensuring Europe’s industrial and energy sovereignty. Citing the examples of Cherbourg, Caen, and Dieppe, he emphasized their role as key drivers in industrial renewal and the shift toward renewable marine energy.
“Our ports are at the heart of France’s industrial and energy revival. They must be recognized as European infrastructures of the future, just like major logistics hubs,” Morin declared.
The first panel addressed the transition and resilience of the maritime sector. Speakers called for stronger recognition of territorial ports within the EU’s future ports strategy, clearer funding for decarbonization initiatives—such as shore power, wind propulsion, and alternative fuels—and a balanced approach between competitiveness and climate objectives. The European Commission confirmed that the new FuelEU Maritime and Alternative Fuels Infrastructure regulations will make shore power mandatory for ships from 2030.
A second panel, focused on financing, featured CINEA’s overview of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which has allocated €3.5 billion to port projects since 2014. However, only one in three applications from regional ports currently receives funding. Experts, including Olivier Silla, called for a strengthened budget and dedicated envelopes for electrification and rail access.
“Regional ports are key instruments of planning and value creation,” said Philippe Deiss, General Director of Ports de Normandie. “The energy transition will not happen without them.”
The conference concluded with broad agreement: though less visible than core network ports, regional ports are essential to the European Green Deal, industrial competitiveness, and energy sovereignty.
