The Hellenic Shipowners' Association in the consultation on the new European Ports Strategy

In the context of the European Commission's consultation on the Call for Evidence in view of the preparation of the European Ports Strategy, the Hellenic Shipowners' Association of Tugboats, Rescue Vessels, Anti-Pollution Vessels & Offshore Support Vessels sent an official contribution in which the particular importance of tugboats for ensuring safety in ports, ships served in European ports, the lives of crews and passengers, the protection of the marine environment as well as the protection of port facilities, which contributes, among other things, to their competitiveness.

At the same time, the role of tugboats in port security was highlighted, as critical and vital infrastructure, from any kind of threat that could exploit any inadequacy of European ports in providing safe tugboat services.

Furthermore, the Union highlighted the need to strengthen investments in the New Multiannual Financial Framework aimed at renewing and modernizing the tugboat fleet with green technologies and emergency response equipment. For this reason, the Union proposed that there be an explicit provision in the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 for targeted support for the tugboat sector, through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the National and Regional Plans (NRPP) and European programs such as Horizon Europe and Clean Transition & Decarbonisation.

The President of the Union, Mr. Pavlos Xiradakis, stated: "With our contribution to the European Commission, we seek to ensure that the new European Ports Strategy will recognize and support the crucial role of tugboats in the smooth operation of the maritime transport chain and the consolidation of safety, both in the sense of safety and security, in European ports. Tugboats are also a key factor in the military supply chain and mobility, highlighting their added value for the resilience and strategic autonomy of Europe.

I believe that it is the right time for the European Commission to consider establishing a framework of basic rules for safe towing at a pan-European level.

It is also a fact that the modernization of tugboats in the context of the green transition will contribute manifold to ensuring safe tugboats services. We expect the European Commission to take the appropriate decisions to strengthen the tugboat sector through its inclusion in the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034 as well as in other financial instruments'.