Hamburg’s operational program for the ERDF funding period 2021-2027 is based on two funding priorities. Funding priority 2 is about a greener, CO2-reduced transition towards a carbon-neutral economy and a more resilient Europe, by promoting investments in climate protection. As underlined in the operational program, CO2 emission reduction in Hamburg has not yet reached the level originally envisaged (25,2% reduction in 2019 as compared to the 1990 level).

The operational program is focused on funding energy efficiency in public buildings, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Beyond this measure, it seems that the idea of a carbon-neutral economy provides more potential. As an important port city, Hamburg’s port infrastructure and shipping industry must be considered part of the local economy’s green transition. Given the operational program’s lack of it, onshore power supply and the greening of the maritime economy is an issue the lead partner (LP) wants to address in the operational program, as further explained in the following (see section on improvements).

EUR 388 million have been allocated for the period 2021-2027, with five priorities. The ERDF Normandy is associated with two other programmes, the FSE+ (European Social Fund) and the FTJ (Just Transition Fund) with respectively EUR 85 and EUR 103 million.
The priorities are:
Priority 1 'Promote an innovative and intelligent economic transformation of Normandy;
Priority 2 'Strengthen environmental protection support, the fight against climate change and accelerate the energy and ecological transition in Normandy;
Priority 3 'Promote sustainable multimodal urban mobility';
Priority 4 'Valuing the cultural and tourist heritage of the Norman territory';
Priority 5 'Respond to the development needs of Norman territories by betting on the participation of their populations and actors'.
Onshore power supply can play an important role in fostering energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the adaptation to climate change, and the sustainable development of Normandy’s territory. In this regard, onshore power supply solutions and the greening of maritime economy should also be included in a revision of the forthcoming operational programme 2028-2034.

Shore-side Electricity Supply Strategy Rotterdam Port or in Dutch 'Strategie Walstroom Rotterdamse Haven' is a joint strategy with the Port of Rotterdam.

The Strategy contains policy measures to support the development and roll out of shorepower. The basis is threefold: Quality of the living environment, taking large steps where possible (ferry, roro and cruise) and encouraging innovation & standardisation where necessary.

The strategy aims at accelerating and scaling up of onshore power supply for seagoing vessels in the Rotterdam harbour area. This includes the learning process with stakeholders involved, and from the technical and commercial innovation perspective.

At the same time, the strategy enables the development of incentive policies (is the basis for the funding shore power-related subsidies and the removal of obstacles and objections for market participants). The Strategy is supported by both the City of Rotterdam and the Port of Rotterdam.

Measures in the underlying programme are (international) cooperation, contributions to national and European policy, support feasibility studies, support shore power roll out, executing innovation pilots etc.

Flemish ports are an important component of the economy of Flanders. The Flemish government has developed a port strategy to maximize the economic potential of these ports and ensure their long-term sustainability.

The main objectives of the Flemish port strategy are to:

1. Enhance the competitiveness of the Flemish ports on a global scale

2. Stimulate economic growth and job creation in the region

3. Improve the ecological sustainability of the ports and their surroundings

4. Promote innovation and digitalization in port activities

The strategy includes 5 key characteristics and priorities. One of them is Investing in port infrastructure, including dredging, quays, and terminals.

The Flemish port strategy includes a range of measures and initiatives to achieve these objectives and priorities. For example:

1. The government is promoting the use of alternative fuels and technologies in port activities, such as onshore power supply and electric or hydrogen powered cranes.

2. The government is supporting the development of digital platforms for port logistics and supply chain management

3. The government is working to reduce the environmental impact of port activities

Overall, the Flemish port strategy is focused on ensuring that the region's ports remain competitive and sustainable in the face of global economic and environmental challenges.

The Alternative Fuels Strategy in the transport sector in Slovenia (the Strategy) was drafted in accordance with Directive 2014/94/EU and adopted in 2017. In 2023, a new system law on alternative fuels in transport was adopted (Act on Infrastructure for Alternative Fuels and Promoting the Transition to Alternative Fuels in Transport – ZIAG, Off. Gaz. of RS 62/23). Article 23 of the ZIAG sets out obligations for the supply of electricity to vessels from the shore (onshore power supply – OPS) in the Port of Koper as the only international cargo port in Slovenia. Based on the Strategy from 2017, an Action plan was prepared. The action plan included measures in the field of vehicles, charging infrastructure (also for the maritime sector) and other measures to achieve the set goals, focusing on:

- promoting economic development, innovation, and research in the field of alternative fuels and their use,
- financial incentives and tax measures, eliminating administrative barriers,
- amendments to existing legislation and preparation of new legislative acts,
- demonstration projects,
- preparation of national guidelines and studies.

The above stated policy instruments – the Alternative Fuels Strategy form 2017 and the ZIAG Act set the legal framework for the introduction of onshore power supply systems in the Port of Koper.

The Spanish Strategic Port Framework is the main port planning instrument, the preparation and implementation corresponding to Puertos del Estado and the 28 Port Authorities of general interest. Its drafting is regulated by the Spanish Ports Law (Spanish Royal Legislative Decree 2/2011, Article 52).

The strategic framework was approved on 7 October 2022 by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, and reformulates the course of the Spanish state-owned ports, updating their bases of strategic development, criteria for action and general objectives, as well as adapting them to the new requirements and the prevailing conditions in both the national and international context. It addresses not only transcendent but also urgent issues, such as the climate emergency, the digital transformation, and the emergence of the 4.0 economy.

OPS is included in the strategic line 'Ports eco-proactive', covering the general objective 'contribute to climate change mitigation', which states the consolidation of facilities and services for the supply of onshore power supply to ships as one of the key results to be achieved.

As stated in the strategy, onshore power supply will contribute to reaching the targets set in Spanish ports: 1) 50% reduction in the CO2 footprint compared to 2019; 2) 50% of energy consumed in port with renewable self-generation or carbon neutral alternative fuels; and 3) 100% of ports with extensive electrification according to demand.

The Strategy on waterborne transport development of the Republic of Serbia has the following objectives: Increase by 35% in traffic (inland transportation, import and export) on inland waterways in comparison to 2012, achieved via domestic and foreign ships by 2025, modern national fleet, profitable domestic shipping companies, employment of domestic shipping industry, harmonized regulations and administrative procedures, simplified customs and border procedures according to the model of neighbouring EU Member States in the Danube region and full water traffic supervision of the waterway network of the Republic of Serbia.

The Strategy calls for a more intensive harmonization of national environmental protection and land conservation legislation with international regulations. Improving the environmental performance of waterway transport contributes to the environmental protection and nature protection in the exploitation of inland waterways in the Republic of Serbia. The current strategy remains in effect, until a new 10 year strategy is adopted.

In light of the EU TEN-T Rhine-Danube Corridor allignment of the Western Balkan inland waterway link to said corridor, analysis of OPS will enhance the current strategy and provide a foundation for the next 10 year strategy to be developed during the project lifetime. Exchanging experiences on this project contributes to the development of proposals that would be incorporated into the new strategy.

The Transport Plan for the Azores 2021-2030 is intended to define the strategy for the decade 2021-2030, corresponding to the challenges for the air, maritime and road sectors, in a perspective of sustainable and economically efficient transport, meeting the needs of mobility and accessibility of people and goods, defined with the creation of objectives, measures and targets, with identification of the investments considered priorities for the Azores.

To guarantee the competitiveness and operability of the ports, the plan includes:
- Upgrading and expanding ports to improve safety conditions and operational efficiency.
- Modernization of port equipment to optimize the transport of goods and passengers.
- Introduction of new technologies and digitalization of port processes, making operations faster and more efficient.
The plan includes a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, promoting measures to reduce the maritime sector's ecological footprint, such as:
- Studies into the adoption of alternative and more sustainable fuels on vessels;
- Promoting renewable energies in ports;
- Renewing the maritime fleet, making it more efficient and less polluting.

The plan recognizes the strategic role of ports in the region's development, ensuring mobility, supply and sustainable economic growth. With these investments the Azorean port sector will be better prepared for future challenges, ensuring territorial cohesion and the population’s well-being.