Four Weeks Until Varna Conference! Within four weeks, the European port community will meet in Varna for the 10th edition of the ESPO Conference.
As usual, the conference promises both content and entertainment, but this year there may also be a bit of excitement! If the European Commission’s preparations remain on schedule, Varna will be the first industry platform to discuss the regulation proposal on port services and the Commission’s new ports policy communication. The regulation proposal is expected to set common rules on market access to port services and to improve transparency of public funding and port charges. The second day of the conference is entirely devoted to EU port policy. Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas will deliver the keynote speech and the team of DG Move will be present to explain the content of the new policy instruments. MEP Philippe De Backer (ALDE/BE) and sector representatives will give their initial views on the forthcoming proposals.
The first conference day will cover the theme ‘Port Development through Cooperation – Towards new Synergies’, providing thought-provoking discussions on infrastructure corridor development, marketing of port regions and international strategies of port authorities. The programme of the first day also includes an economic outlook session on Europe, shipping and ports as well as a keynote speech by EMSA Executive Director Markku Mylly. The actual conference will be preceded by a special interest seminar on Black Sea port development. Overall, an impressive list of international speakers will be present in Varna.
We especially welcome the ports of Antwerp, Helsinki, London, Nantes Saint-Nazaire and Setúbal in Varna. An innocent hand has selected them from the ports that completed the 2nd edition of the ESPO port performance survey on time. These five ports win an extra free entrance ticket to the conference. The results of the port performance survey will be made available in Varna.
Don’t miss this important event and book your seats now. Full programme and registration forms are available through www.espo-conference.com.
