The European Investment Bank (EIB), in partnership with the European Commission, is launching a new technical training programme to strengthen the strategic port infrastructure across the European Union. The initiative, supported by the Connecting Europe Facility and Cohesion Policy Funds, falls under the JASPERS mandate. It aims to enhance the capacity of small and medium-sized ports on the trans-European transport (TEN-T) network to prepare high-quality, economically sound investment projects in line with EU policy objectives such as sustainability, resilience, digitalisation, and connectivity.
Europe’s ports are vital to the continent’s economy, serving as key hubs for the flow of goods, energy, and raw materials. With millions of passengers and billions of tonnes of cargo passing through these ports annually, they are integral to Europe’s logistics and transport networks. The new programme focuses on enabling smaller ports to develop robust investment pipelines by offering tailored assistance and expertise. This is achieved through live webinars, interactive workshops, and expert guidance, which will support ports in translating their strategic priorities into actionable projects.
The goal of this initiative is to strengthen the administrative capacity of local authorities, making it easier for ports to access EU and EIB funding and speed up investments. It aligns with the broader objectives of the EU’s transport policy, aiming to develop a sustainable, resilient, and well-connected transport network across the continent.
The EIB Advisory team has a history of assisting ports with climate resilience, adaptation strategies, alternative fuel deployment, and improving vessel capacity and connectivity. This new programme builds on those efforts by addressing specific technical gaps and providing tailored support to individual ports. The initiative ensures that no port, regardless of size, is left behind in the process of upgrading and modernizing Europe’s critical port infrastructure.
