On 13 October 2025, the European Parliament’s own-initiative report on military mobility was discussed during a joint meeting of the Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) and Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN).
The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) and its members welcome the high-quality draft report prepared by SEDE rapporteur Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) and TRAN rapporteur Roberts Zīle (ECR, LV),and believe that combined with a series of important amendments that have been tabled the Parliament will be giving a solid input on the subject to the Commission and the Council.
“We see in the Parliament a lot of understanding and support for the important and strategic role that ports can play in enhancing military mobility, preparedness and resilience in Europe, as well as for the challenges and needs that come with taking up such a role. We hope that these points are reflected in the final compromise text. We also hope that this report will be thoroughly considered in the development and implementation of the forthcoming military mobility package and measures. We would like to congratulate the rapporteurs and all MEPs involved in the making of this report.”, says ESPO’s Secretary General, Isabelle Ryckbost.
Europe’s ports particularly welcome the amendments aimed at:
- further stressing the key strategic role of ports in military mobility corridors (AM 326, 339, 340, 345, 346);
- supporting dedicated Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding for maritime ports (AM 138 and 144);
- establishing a permanent dialogue between ports and the military (AM 275, 276 and 454);
- recognising the civilian role of ports in supply chains and trade, and the need to ensure business continuity (AM 326, 438);
- ensuring the protection of ports against physical and hybrid threats (AM 382 and 431, 462);
- recognising the space constraints and the need for buffer zones in ports, as well as the need for sufficient space for energy-related projects within ports (AM 424, 489);
- outlining in a comprehensive way the investments in ports that should be considered as dual-use (AM 137, 138);
- addressing the need for NATO and military authorities to consult ports in due time (AM 454).
In the coming weeks, the focus will be on finalising the compromise amendments to the EU Parliament’s draft report on military mobility. A follow-up joint TRAN-SEDE Committee meeting is foreseen on 2nd December.
European ports are ready to work closely with MEPs, the Commission and Member States to ensure that military mobility moves from concept to effective implementation.
