Studie zu Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung der Häfen in der EU

Ports play a key role in the EU economy and development, as nearly 75 percent of the trade between the EU and the rest of the world is handled in ports. Thus, the importance of ensuring efficiency in ports is related to the ability of the EU to be competitive at international level. However, European ports seem to lack the ability to adapt efficiently in order to meet the ever-changing and developing needs of industry. This is particularly the case where levels of public finance are no longer forthcoming - the economic crisis has reduced the capacity of governments to finance long term infrastructure. It should also be considered that the heterogeneous nature of the port sector increases the complexity of guaranteeing consistent development of the sector as a whole.