ESPO Conference 2025

owards a strategy for Europe’s ports in the post-2024 era

2024 has been marked by important elections both in Europe and in the US, leading to new leaders and political priorities. As from the start of this year, geopolitical tensions are further escalating and multilateralism is under pressure, shaking up the world order and paving the way for a new geopolitical and geo-economic normal. To navigate these shifts, the EU needs to prepare for its own future, secure its own position and foster new alliances.

While the European Union continues to strive to become net-zero by the middle of this century, it is now also setting its compass towards a more competitive, secure and geoeconomically and geopolitically stronger Europe.

Europe’s ports are at the centre of today’s challenges and are, at the same time, instrumental in facing them. As logistics and energy hubs, gateways to trade and industrial clusters, they play a strategic and multifaceted role and are crucial partners in enhancing Europe’s geopolitical resilience and military preparedness. But ports are also particularly vulnerable and can become a primary target for those seeking to disrupt Europe’s economy, damage its society and its future prosperity. How can ports prepare to ride the wave of change? What can Europe do to support ports in their endeavors?

On 8 and 9 May, Europe’s ports will gather in Thessaloniki for the 21st edition of the ESPO Conference, the annual highlight of the European port industry.

The ESPO Conference 2025 will be the ideal moment to reflect among ports, port stakeholders, policymakers and experts to reflect on how ports can and must adjust to the new world. Who will prepare the script for ports? Can the ports still be masters of their own plan? What role can policy play in enhancing the competitiveness of Europe’s ports? Do we need to look in a different way to the ports’ value creation? Make sure to be part of the dialogue and join us in Thessaloniki!