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RFPs: European Maritime and Inland Ports Infrastructure Modernisation

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Deadline: 06-Oct-2026

The European Commission is inviting grant applications for works projects that modernise maritime and inland port infrastructure on the TEN-T network and reduce transport emissions. The call has a total budget of €200,000,000 and supports onshore power supply, shore-side battery charging, port electrification, vessel energy system retrofitting, renewable energy integration, and alternative fuel technologies.

Eligible applicants include public and private legal entities established in EU Member States, including overseas countries and territories, as well as countries associated with the CEF Programme. Supported infrastructure must be accessible to all operators on a non-discriminatory basis.

What is this European Commission Port Infrastructure Grant Call?

This European Commission grant call supports works projects that help modernise maritime and inland ports on the Trans-European Transport Network, commonly known as the TEN-T network.

The call focuses on reducing emissions from transport by supporting cleaner port infrastructure and low-emission energy systems for vessels.

It is designed to help ports and vessel operators transition from conventional fossil fuel-based operations to cleaner alternatives such as electricity, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, biomethane, and wind-assisted propulsion.

Main Purpose of the Call

The main purpose of this call is to reduce the environmental impact of maritime and inland waterway transport.

The funding supports practical infrastructure works that help ports provide cleaner energy to vessels and support the wider decarbonisation of European transport corridors.

The call also aims to improve short sea shipping efficiency and support the greening of inland waterway transport.

Total Funding Available

The total funding available under this call is €200,000,000.

This budget is intended to support eligible works projects related to clean port infrastructure, vessel energy system upgrades, shore-side energy systems, and related synergetic elements.

Focus Areas and Priorities

The call focuses on modernising port infrastructure and reducing emissions across maritime and inland waterway transport.

Key focus areas include:

Key Concepts Explained

TEN-T Network

The TEN-T network refers to the Trans-European Transport Network. It is the European Union’s strategic network of roads, railways, ports, airports, inland waterways, and multimodal transport links.

Under this call, projects must relate to maritime or inland ports located on the TEN-T network.

Works Projects

Works projects refer to practical infrastructure deployment or construction activities.

This call supports only works projects connected to onshore power supply, charging infrastructure, vessel energy system upgrades, and related clean energy infrastructure in eligible ports.

Onshore Power Supply

Onshore power supply allows vessels to connect to electricity from the port while they are at berth.

This reduces the need for vessels to run onboard engines while docked, helping lower emissions, noise, and air pollution in port areas.

Shore-Side Battery Charging

Shore-side battery charging systems allow vessels to charge batteries while docked at a port.

This is especially relevant for electric or hybrid vessels operating in short sea shipping or inland waterway transport.

Vessel Energy System Retrofitting

Retrofitting means upgrading an existing vessel with cleaner energy or propulsion systems.

This may include electric systems, hybrid propulsion, hydrogen-based systems, ammonia technologies, methanol or biomethane fuel systems, other substitute energy sources, or wind-assisted propulsion systems.

What Types of Projects are Supported?

The call supports works projects related to the deployment of onshore power supply and charging infrastructure in TEN-T maritime and inland ports.

Supported projects may include:

Vessel Technologies Supported

The call supports the fitting or retrofitting of vessel energy systems using cleaner and alternative technologies.

Eligible technologies may include:

These technologies should contribute to the reduction of transport emissions and support cleaner maritime or inland waterway operations.

Renewable Energy and Synergetic Infrastructure

Projects may include renewable energy and supporting energy infrastructure where these elements are directly linked to onshore power supply and charging systems.

Eligible synergetic elements may include:

These synergetic elements must primarily support onshore power supply and charging systems.

They may not exceed 20% of total eligible project costs.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include public and private legal entities.

Applicants must be established in:

Eligible applicants may include port authorities, public infrastructure bodies, private port operators, vessel operators, energy infrastructure providers, or other legal entities involved in eligible works projects.

Eligible Infrastructure Requirements

All infrastructure funded under this call must be accessible to all operators on a non-discriminatory basis.

This means the supported infrastructure should not be restricted unfairly to one company, vessel operator, or commercial user.

The infrastructure should support open, fair, and transparent access for eligible users operating in the port environment.

How the Grant Works

The European Commission provides funding for eligible works projects that support clean transport infrastructure in maritime and inland ports on the TEN-T network.

Projects must focus on deployment, fitting, retrofitting, or integration of eligible infrastructure.

The main project activity should relate to onshore power supply, charging infrastructure, or clean vessel energy systems.

Renewable energy generation, grid connections, and battery storage can be included only when they primarily support these main systems.

How to Apply

Applicants should first confirm that their project is located in or directly connected to a TEN-T maritime or inland port.

They should then check whether the project qualifies as a works project under the call.

The project should clearly focus on one or more eligible activities, such as:

Applicants should prepare a clear project proposal explaining the infrastructure to be built, upgraded, installed, or retrofitted.

The proposal should show how the project will reduce transport emissions and support cleaner maritime or inland waterway transport.

Applicants should include a budget that separates core eligible works from synergetic elements such as renewable energy systems, grid connections, and battery storage.

If synergetic elements are included, applicants must ensure they do not exceed 20% of total eligible project costs.

Applicants should also explain how the supported infrastructure will be accessible to all operators on a non-discriminatory basis.

Suggested Application Steps

  1. Confirm that the project is linked to a TEN-T maritime or inland port.
  2. Identify the main infrastructure activity, such as onshore power supply, charging infrastructure, or vessel energy system retrofitting.
  3. Check that the applicant is a public or private legal entity established in an eligible country.
  4. Prepare a technical description of the works project.
  5. Explain the expected environmental benefits and emissions reduction contribution.
  6. Prepare a detailed budget, including any renewable energy, grid, or battery storage elements.
  7. Ensure synergetic infrastructure remains within the 20% eligible cost limit.
  8. Demonstrate that the infrastructure will be accessible to all operators without discrimination.
  9. Submit the grant application through the relevant European Commission or CEF application process.

Why It Matters

Maritime and inland waterway transport are important parts of Europe’s transport system, but they also require cleaner infrastructure to reduce emissions.

Ports play a central role in this transition because vessels need access to shore-side electricity, charging systems, clean fuel infrastructure, and renewable energy support.

This call helps accelerate the shift toward low-emission ports, cleaner vessels, sustainable shipping, and modern transport infrastructure across the TEN-T network.

By supporting port electrification and alternative fuel systems, the funding contributes to climate goals, energy transition, air quality improvement, and the decarbonisation of European transport.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid proposing projects that are not located on or directly linked to the TEN-T network.

Projects should not focus only on planning, studies, or general strategy if the call requires works projects.

Applicants should not include renewable energy systems unless they primarily support onshore power supply or charging infrastructure.

Synergetic elements such as photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, grid connections, and batteries must not exceed 20% of total eligible project costs.

Applicants should avoid restricting the funded infrastructure to a single operator if non-discriminatory access is required.

Applicants should also avoid submitting proposals that do not clearly explain the emissions reduction impact of the project.

Tips for Strong Applications

A strong application should clearly connect the project to TEN-T port infrastructure modernisation.

The proposal should explain how the works will directly support cleaner maritime or inland waterway transport.

Applicants should provide strong technical details on the infrastructure, including capacity, users, vessel types, energy systems, and operational needs.

The application should clearly show how the project supports port electrification, alternative fuels, or vessel energy system upgrades.

The budget should be transparent and should clearly separate core infrastructure costs from renewable energy or storage-related synergetic elements.

Applicants should also explain how multiple operators will be able to access and use the supported infrastructure fairly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of this European Commission grant call?

The purpose of the call is to support works projects that modernise maritime and inland port infrastructure on the TEN-T network and reduce transport emissions.

2. How much funding is available?

The total funding available for this call is €200,000,000.

3. What types of projects are eligible?

Eligible projects include works related to onshore power supply, shore-side battery charging, port electrification, vessel energy system fitting or retrofitting, and related clean energy infrastructure.

4. Are renewable energy systems eligible?

Yes, renewable energy systems such as photovoltaic systems and wind turbines may be included if they primarily support onshore power supply or charging infrastructure. These elements may not exceed 20% of total eligible project costs.

5. What vessel types can be supported?

The call may support seagoing freight and passenger vessels, tugboats, cruise vessels, inland waterway vessels, ferries, and short sea shipping vessels.

6. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include public and private legal entities established in EU Member States, including overseas countries and territories, as well as countries associated with the CEF Programme.

7. What does non-discriminatory access mean?

Non-discriminatory access means that the funded infrastructure must be available to operators on fair and equal terms. It should not unfairly benefit only one operator or restrict access without justification.

Conclusion

The European Commission’s port infrastructure grant call provides major support for cleaner maritime and inland waterway transport across the TEN-T network.

With €200,000,000 available, the call focuses on practical works projects that deploy onshore power supply, shore-side charging, port electrification, vessel retrofitting, renewable energy integration, and alternative fuel technologies.

Applicants should ensure their projects are eligible, technically clear, emissions-focused, accessible to all operators, and aligned with the call’s rules on synergetic infrastructure and total eligible costs.

For more information, visit European Commission.

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