The European Ports Forum Expert group was set up to facilitate the work of the European Commission in ensuring the uniform implementation of Regulation (EU) 2017/352 which establishes a framework for the provision of ports services and common rules regarding the financial transparency of ports. The EU Ports Forum brings together Member States and stakeholders related to the port sector, advises the Commission on the execution of the actions outlined in the Communication: ‘Ports: an engine for growth’ (COM (2013) 295) and serves as a forum of discussion regarding the initiatives put forward which contribute to the priorities set in the Valletta Ministerial Declaration of 10 April 2017 on the EU Maritime Transport Policy until 2020.

In this context, the Subgroup on Sustainable Ports was established to advise the European Commission on issues related to the environmental performance of the port sector. The work of the Subgroup includes the sharing of expertise and best practices on port-related environmental issues, such as the port stakeholders’ strategies towards reduction of emission and lowering of port waste, the adoption of voluntary incentive schemes and the deployment of environmental infrastructure in ports to promote the greening of maritime transport.