The new role of ports: hubs of energy and pillars of security

Vessel traffic accounts for a significant portion of emissions in ports. In the collective effort to reduce the emissions of maritime transport, port operators play an important role in ensuring the availability of low-carbon and carbon-free fuels. The supply of shore power is also an important means of reducing emissions in ports. In addition, ports will continue to function as increasingly vital hubs for renewable energy supply chains, since hydrogen plants, for example, are being planned for the immediate vicinity of ports. It is also important to remember that high-quality port infrastructure is also essential for the construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms.

Ports are part of a wider ecosystem, the well-being of which affects both biodiversity and their own operating conditions. The biodiversity road and sea map published by the Finnish Ports Association in September 2025 is a significant turning point in terms of how ports perceive their environmental responsibilities. The roadmap was drafted in co-operation with member ports, including the active involvement of the Port of Turku.

The aim of the roadmap is to increase knowledge and competence regarding biodiversity within the sector, to identify the most significant natural impacts and dependencies of port operations and business, and to set concrete measures for the purpose of promoting biodiversity. The aim is to work towards nature-positivity: a state in which port operations are no longer simply reducing harmful impacts on nature, but actively increasing biodiversity and the vitality of ecosystems.

The hottest EU topics of the moment: port strategy and funding

The future EU Port Strategy will be an important policy for the sector as a whole. The strategy is currently being prepared by the European Commission and is expected to be completed in February 2026. The Finnish Ports Association has emphasised that the strategy must support the competitiveness of ports, the funding of investments and the reduction of the administrative burden of ports, e.g. by streamlining permit and licensing processes. The strategy also needs to take regional differences into consideration: European ports are very different from one another.

In the spring of 2025, the wait for the Commission’s proposal on the future budget of the European Union, MFF, was tense. The Connecting Europe Facility, or CEF, has been the key public sector funding instrument for investments in Finnish ports. Therefore, the continuation of the CEF in the Commission proposal for the new framework period is very positive and desired news for Finnish ports. While there is currently an urgent need to ensure that ports are able to meet the expectations set for them, particularly with regard to military mobility, the size and allocation of funding must also take into account investment needs related to the normal operation of ports, which improve the mobility of people and goods, and contribute to competitiveness and a functional EU internal market.

Changed security environment

In the case of ports, the change in the security situation is reflected in concrete terms, for example, as unauthorised attempts to enter the port area and increased drone observations. There have also been cyberattacks against port operators.

In Finnish ports, the security of supply work and the Port Pool, in particular, have played a key role in promoting security and situational awareness as well as regular training activities. Although this work primarily serves the objectives of ensuring security of supply, the practices launched or improved as a result also support the role of ports in the strengthening of Finland’s security as a whole. The range of measures intended to strengthen different aspects of port security should be considered as a whole, and especially those measures that have a dynamic and broad impact should be promoted. In terms of the continuity of port operations, backup power solutions to prevent the impacts of disruptions in electricity distribution in ports caused by technical failures or hybrid operations have been identified as the most important and urgent development target.

The Finnish Ports Association works on behalf of Finland and ports – even when the operating environment is in turmoil.

Advocating for Finland and ports

Over the past couple of years, the Finnish Ports Association has strengthened its role not only as an advocate for domestic ports but also as an active leader in the industry at large. According to the strategy updated in the spring of 2025, the Finnish Ports Association wants to be an active player in the development of sustainable, safe and efficient port operations, and to support Finland’s competitiveness with a competent approach and strong co-operation.

READ MORE:
Biodiversity Roadmap for the Finnish Port Sector

Piia Karjalainen
Writer is Chief Executive Officer of Finnish Ports Association

Photos:
JFIX MEDIA PRODUCTIONS – Janne Stenroos,
Finnish Ports Association