Ports and People: Navigating the future of inland and sea ports
Date: June 23rd, 2025
Location: Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Registration fee: €100,- (including tea/coffee, lunch and reception)
Register at: https://www.aanmelder.nl/mare2025/subscribe
Ports have for centuries made a major contribution to the development of society. Many cities around the world originated as fishing villages and later developed into metropoles – an example from Europe is Amsterdam, which started as a small fishing settlement in the 12th century. Historically space around such early settlements was almost unlimited allowing for a transition from fishing-based occupation into vibrant merchant and production hubs generating income for thousands if not millions of people. This development formed the basis for modern society as we know it.
Ports have facilitated the growth of major cities and attracted people and enterprises, creating a complex economic and social system in their vicinity. This coexistence has been challenged over the past decades. The purpose of the MARE policy day is to zoom in and focus on the challenges for ports in the North Sea and its hinterlands, where the fight for space is increasing and causing dilemmas and implications for people working in the surrounding port areas.
The policy day will be organized around three themes, or dilemmas:
The first is the development of residential housing at the waterfront. Real estate development is pushing port activities out of city centers as the value of the land is many times higher for residential or office use than for port activities. Furthermore, port activities generate noise and dust further hindering coexistence.
The second is that cruise ship tourism has taken off, oftentimes in addition to the growth of regular coastal city trips, resulting in problems of mass and over-tourism. When large cruise ships are calling ports with thousands of passengers that go ashore simultaneously and occupy city space, they are nowadays often viewed as invaders.
The third is that ports are key to facilitating the energy transition both in terms of transport and in terms of production. They are vital in fulfilling the Ostend Declaration of Energy reaching 120 GW by 2030 and 300 GW in 2050 from offshore wind parks and production of green fuels (Power-to-X). These energy hubs have unique safety and security requirements.
The objective for the MARE Port Policy Day is contribute to a better alignment of port policies to meet present challenges and dealing with dilemmas, such as the ones above. This calls for discussions and critical reflection on how to strike appropriate balances between different request for space. We intend to bring together industry representatives, policy makers and (social) scientists to address the above challenges and find ways to mediate conflicts balancing the spatial and socio-economic impacts related to port activities and development. We aim to further a process of co-creation and collaborative planning inspiring future research support decision-making and port governance.
FORMAT & ENGAGEMENT
- Expert Panels & Case Studies | Real-world insights from leading ports, energy firms, and urban planners.
- Breakout Sessions | Hands-on problem-solving on governance, logistics, and urban-maritime synergy.
- Interactive Policy Co-Creation | Contributions to EU maritime policy, industry roadmaps, and regulatory frameworks.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- ✅ PORT & SHIPPING EXECUTIVES
- ✅ POLICYMAKERS & REGULATORS (EU, NATIONAL, REGIONAL)
- ✅ MARITIME CLUSTERS & LOGISTICS FIRMS
- ✅ ENERGY TRANSITION STAKEHOLDERS
- ✅ URBAN PLANNERS & SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS
Registration
You can register for the Policy Day using this link: https://www.aanmelder.nl/mare2025/subscribe.
Fee Policy Day: €100,- (including tea/coffee, lunch and reception)
Registration deadline for the Police Day is 2nd of June 2025.
If you have any questions, please send them to info@marecentre.nl
Detailed programme
You can find the detailed description and programme below.
Venue
The Policy Day takes place at the Roeterseiland Campus of the University of Amsterdam.
Address: Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, 1018 WV Amsterdam
