On 8 and 9 May, the European port community will gather in Thessaloniki for the 21st annual conference of the European Sea Ports Organisation. As always, the event will feature an impressive lineup of key speakers and experts, while also giving an amazing opportunity for the port community and its stakeholders to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen relationships.

ESPO Conferences aim at stimulating discussion and exchanges with and between port professionals and bring everyone to the podium. This year again, as well, at the end of the first day, participants will literally break out into six dedicated discussions, held either at the Makedonia Palace Conference venue or outdoors, with a stunning view over the sea.

Green Port Masterplanning: Taking the lessons from European Projects to your port: The first breakout, led by project coordinators Inge De Wolf, and Arne-Jan Polman will focus on Green Port Master Planning. By the end of 2026, the EU-funded MAGPIE and PIONEERS projects will deliver a comprehensive Master Plan to help European ports achieve zero emissions by 2050. To make this plan truly effective, they need your input. Participants will be invited to shape the future of Green Ports by sharing their insights on what the Master Plan should include, its most useful format, and the support needed for implementation. The session will feature progress updates, interactive discussions, and insights. As key trade hubs, ports play a crucial role in reducing GHG emissions. Participation in this breakout will help refine the roadmap for sustainable, zero-emission ports and will directly influence the deliverables presented to the European Commission.

OnShore power supply: Is the grid the limit? The second breakout, led by Tim Verhoeven, Senior Policy Advisor at ESPO, will focus on the AFIR requirements for 2030 for onshore power supply (OPS). European ports still face a major challenge: securing sufficient grid capacity to support OPS while meeting overall port electricity demands. This breakout will allow participants to investigate ways to bring more grid to the port, share experiences, and list barriers to overcome.

Should we discuss a destination limit of tolerance for cruise? During the third breakout, participants will reflect on whether some destinations should establish a recommended limit of tolerance for same-time tourists in cities and villages. Alternatively, the discussion will explore how ports and destinations can learn from cases where cruise tourism and the city are seen as a win-win. Led by Prof. Thanos Pallis, this session will highlight experiences, challenges, and strategies for balancing tourism and port sustainability.

Europe’s Ports as enablers of military mobility:  This breakout session will be exclusively for port professionals and representatives! This session will provide a platform to discuss needs and challenges of ports in enhancing their role as enablers of military mobility in cooperation with the relevant authorities. This session will be led by Algis Latakas, CEO of the Port of Klaipeda.

Partnering up with ports outside the EU: How to make it a win-win? Launched in 2021, Global Gateway is the EU’s strategy to strengthen smart, clean, and secure links in digital, energy, and transport sectors while supporting global health, education, and research. In this fifth session, Sergio Oliete Josa, Head of Unit, Global Gateway at DG International Partnerships, will explore opportunities for European ports to develop projects with non-EU counterparts. Participants can ask questions, gain insights, and share their own experiences with Global Gateway initiatives.

Digitalisation as driver of decarbonisation: Lastly, the sixth breakout session will focus on how digitalisation is accelerating decarbonisation in ports. From Green Digital Corridors that enable seamless collaboration to emissions tracking and reporting for real impact, digital tools are reshaping port operations. The session will also explore how Just-in-Time (JIT) operations can become a reality, how evolving regulations like the CSRD shape sustainability strategies, and why cybersecurity is key to maintaining trust in digital systems. Participants will break out under the coordination of Sjoerd de Jager, CEO of PortXchange.

It is clear that we have breakout sessions for all tastes. Participants of the Conference can choose which breakout group they want to join at the start of the Conference. Therefore, no pre-registration is needed.

Source, ESPO