Ports discussed the Ports Act and green transition with the Minister for Transport

On Monday, Minister for Transport Benny Engelbrecht visited the Port of Copenhagen for a meeting with Danish Ports and Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP). The main topics for discussion were the Danish Ports Act and the green transition, and the Minister was also given a tour of the port.

The ministerial meeting was organised by the industry association Danish Ports, which represents the country’s commercial ports, and it was held in partnership with CMP.

“We enjoyed a positive and constructive meeting today, and I also had the opportunity to take a tour of the Port of Copenhagen. As the Minister for Transport I am determined to ensure a stable framework for the future of the port sector for many years to come. That is why an important focal point in the work on future legislation is to ensure broad political support. At the same time, there have been many different views on how to proceed with the Ports Act from key players in the industry and from political groups in the wake of the expert committee’s recommendations for revising the Ports Act from spring 2018. I therefore believe that we need to listen to the various parties and have the necessary discussions before we get bogged down in the exact nature of the revision process for the Act,” says Minister for Transport Benny Engelbrecht.

Satisfied ports
Danish Ports, which was represented by chairman Carsten Aa and director Tine Kirk Pedersen, also declared itself satisfied with the meeting.

“We had a very good meeting with the Minister for Transport, during which we talked about how to proceed with the Ports Act, among other things. We therefore welcome the process to come, which we look forward to being part of. We greatly appreciate the fact that the Minister would like a Ports Act that embraces the entire industry, because only through cooperation can we deliver the strongest performance in a competitive international market,” emphasises Tine Kirk Pedersen, who continues:

“We also had the opportunity to discuss our desire for the Danish Parliament to adopt a long-term, sustainable infrastructure plan, and naturally for the ports to play a role in this, as there are so many benefits to be gained in the climate area by moving goods from road to sea and rail.”

CMP talked about the green transition
Barbara Scheel Agersnap, CEO of Copenhagen Malmö Port, also attended the meeting, and was pleased to be able to show the Minister for Transport around the port and in particular to discuss the green transition with him:

“The port has always been a meeting place for people and goods and has encouraged activity, trade and innovation. It needs to continue to do that in the future, when we will take an active role in the green transition. The port aims to be the focal point for many of the positive forces that want to make the maritime industry greener. We will open the port and create a platform for collaboration, where industry, research and entrepreneurship can meet and share knowledge and inspire one another. Through strong partnerships, we can achieve green maritime development. I was pleased to be able to put that to the Minister today – and, in particular, to give examples of how this is already happening.”

The ministerial meeting was part of a series of meetings with new spokespeople and other relevant politicians that Danish Ports has been organising since the summer holiday, and those who attended the meeting today agreed to keep the dialogue going in the future.

For additional information, please contact Tine Kirk Pedersen at +45 20 20 86 15.