A new project featuring 13 port and political partners from ten EU countries and Russia has launched this week, with the aim of formulating ways to make the most of sustainable maritime and hinterland transport structures.
Speedy, cost-effective freight flows that contribute to regional competitiveness while reducing environmental impact are at the centre of the initiative, with partners working together to identify, exchange and transfer best practice examples in the transport sector – with the aim of an overall integration of related policies.
Under the heading 'Port Integration: Multimodal Innovation for Sustainable Maritime and Hinterland Transport Structures', the project is set to last for three years at a cost of €1.47m, including a €1.11m contribution from the European Regional Development Fund.
Working groups will be set up to focus on three main areas, EDI in maritime transport and port interfaces, hinterland transport, gateways and innovative logistical concepts, and European ports and EU policies, followed by workshops, best practice visits and conferences.
The project's opening conference is being held in Hamburg, Germany, on 22-24 September, featuring prestigious speakers from the ports and logistics world, as well as politicians from the EU and Germany.
Partners involved in the project are:
- Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Ministry for Economy and Labour Affairs
- Hamburg Port Authority
- Essex County Council and Haven Gateway Partnership
- Valencia Port Authority
- Antwerp Port Authority
- Marseille Fos
- Port of Hamina
- Chamber of Commerce of Genoa
- Municipality of Ancona
- Port of Tallinn
- Freeport of Riga Authority
- Klaipeda State Seaport Authority
- ROSMORPORT Kaliningrad Branch
