White Research participates in EU project to investigate the greening of seaports

White Research will provide stakeholder engagement and research support for DG MOVE project

The Brussels based boutique consultancy White Research announced today that it is a leading partner in an important project for the European Directorate General for Mobility and transport (DG Move) that will investigate the capacity for the greening of European sea ports. More specifically, White Research will lead the consortium’s stakeholder engagement and research activities. The project officially kicked off on 28 September 2021. 

Sea ports are essential hubs in supply chains, but their port-related activities (including vessel traffic, port operations as well as hinterland distribution) can have a very negative impact on the environment. Additionally, throughout the coming years, an increase in trade, larger vessels and use of alternative fuels may lead to the expansion and creation of new ports, which would in return tax the environment even more.

In order to fully understand the potential impacts of growing ports and what can be done to mitigate them, the European Commission’s Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) has requested services to study the capacity for the greening of European sea ports. Over the next two years, White Research, the University of Piraeus Department of Maritime Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam Erasmus School of Law and Dr. Sotirios Theofanis will conduct extensive research to support the creation of policy recommendations, an extensive outline of good practices, and a roadmap towards how to achieve the ‘Green Port Concept’.

Stakeholder Engagement and Research Activities

The Study on the Capacity for Greening of European Sea Ports officially kicked off on the 28 September 2021. White Research will lead the consortium on stakeholder engagement and research activities. More specifically, White Research will create an ambitious stakeholder database to gain practical insights from on-the-ground experts, conduct a number of in-depth case studies on good port practices, and lead in data collection through interviews, focus groups, and surveys. Finally White Research will lead the formulation of the recommendation and the development of the roadmap for greening European sea ports.

“It is a great pleasure and priviledge to take part in this important project. Ports have played a pivotal role in our society throughout history and will continue to do so in the future. Through this study, we hope to play a small role in making them more sustainable.” – Christian Hauschildt, Managing Director, White Research