The Offshore Wind Port Alliance has called for stronger political commitment and more support for the offshore sector.
A new resolution from the alliance, consisting of six of Europe’s biggest wind ports, calls for further measures that can provide assurance in value chains combined with substantial measures to ease the administrative burdens and make it easier to perform the necessary tasks.
According to the ports, this is essential for building the capacity needed to meet the ambitious targets for the offshore sector over the next 30 years.
The ports are also calling for safeguarding value chains at offshore base ports to ensure a continuous flow of supplies. That would also help make the port areas more attractive as workplaces, so it will be easier to attract additional skilled labour.
The alliance is made up of Port Oostende in Belgium, Groningen Seaports/Eemshaven in the Netherlands, Niedersachsen Ports/Cuxhaven in Germany, Nantes-Saint Nazaire Port in France, Humber in the UK and Port Esbjerg in Denmark.
“If we are to successfully deliver on the ambitious targets for offshore wind, it’s crucial that politicians across Europe recognise and support our efforts to develop additional port capacity,” said Port Esbjerg chief executive Dennis Jul Pedersen.
“All the port members of the alliance have an ambition to play a key role in making European offshore power plants a reality. For this to happen, it’s essential that politicians across Europe support our efforts and make changes to industrial policies in a way that will help us. We need clearly defined political goals and strategies that will support our goals,” he added.