Resolution from 1st Workshop of the Port Alliance

Resolution of the Port Alliance for political support and industrial policy changes to strengthen the situation for the adaptation and availability of sufficient infra- and suprastructure for the realization of the Energy Transition of (Northern)-Europe.

The ALLIANCE OF THE MAJOR OFFHSORE WIND PORTS in Europe, consisting of the leading seaports serving the offshore wind industry – hereafter signatories, in light of the current challenges and needs in the offshore wind sector and an ever-emerging need for a major shift in capability in this segment, call for policy support and industry policy change to ensure the security and stability of our ports and their contribution to the national and international economy over the next three
decades. Our ports are of strategic importance to the national and international logistics and capability to build wind power plants in the “Green Offshore Wind Power-Plant Europe” and support is critical to meet the demand and needs in this industry.

The port alliance already supports the green transition and growth in the market to the greatest extent possible. We collaborate across national borders and industries to ensure that the right port capacity and infrastructure is present. We share best case solutions and experiences on technical solutions. We invest in technology, in port infrastructure and in port supra structure, and the efforts must be followed up by even more investments.

Given the limited availability of port space and the need to be able to respond to the needs of the market at short notice, we would like to express clear demands that have emerged in the elaboration during our workshop on 26th and 27th October 2023 in Cuxhaven:

1. Political will: We appeal to policy makers to show a strong political will to support port development in the offshore wind-hydro sector. This will should manifest itself in the form of clear policy objectives and strategies that promote the long-term development and competitiveness of our ports.
   
   
2. Political support: To achieve the expansion targets in the offshore wind sector for the next 30 years, political support is crucial. This can be done in the form of supporting legislation and framework conditions, financing and easing the administrative burden. We recommend a fast-track solution for quick implementation of political support.
   
   
3. Focus on sustainability: The Port Alliance strongly advocates for sustainability in port development. We call for the integration of environmentally friendly practices, renewable energy, and emission-reducing measures to ensure the environmental sustainability of our port activities.
   
   
4. Energy independence: We see it as urgently necessary to reduce our energy dependence on authoritarian states. Diversification of energy supply and consistent implementation of sustainability goals can only succeed and be ensured through the offshore industry and offshore ports. Europe’s energy security architecture will be largely determined by European expansion targets in the offshore wind-hydrogen sector. This requires a clear language of all actors, the resulting demand is, planning security and clear and irrevocable milestones for
   the coming decades.
   
   
5. Stabilization and safeguarding of the economy and value chains: Our ports are the guarantor for most of the realization of offshore wind farms. We call for measures to stabilize and secure the economy and value chains at the offshore base ports to ensure continuous supply and smooth implementation. This goes hand in hand with making the port locations more attractive to attract new workers and skilled labor.

The Port Alliance is ready to actively participate in the implementation of these demands and to work together with policy makers and the industry to ensure a sustainable, safe, and economically strong future for our offshore base ports. We are convinced that the implementation of these measures will not only strengthen the port industry but will also make a significant contribution to the positive development of our country’s economy.