#ESPO2015 - The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) is inviting its members, policy makers and stakeholders to join in the 12th edition of its annual conference 21-22 May held the Greek capital, Athens.

ESPO2015 is being organised in co-operation with the Port of Piraeus, the largest Greek port and Europe's most important passenger port.

As from today, participants can register online via the conference: www.espo2015.gr/

The theme of this year's conference is No ports, no energy. No Energy no ports.

Recently, the European Commission released its energy security strategy, in which it developed a set of short- and long-term measures to ensure a stable and abundant supply of energy for European citizens and the economy. In October 2014, the European Council endorsed the 27% renewable energy and 30% energy efficiency improvement targets.

Currently the EU imports more than half the energy it consumes. Most of these imports go through European ports. This means that around 40% of all commodities handled in European ports are sources of energy. Moreover, European ports are important clusters of industry. It goes without saying that a change in energy policy will alter business in European ports. Are ports getting ready?

ESPO 2015 conference aims to look at the role of ports in the changing energy policy framework. The conference will kick-off by drawing a clear picture of what is currently at stake in Europe, and the wider world. What are the most realistic energy scenarios and how will these affect transport, ports and port industries?

The conference will look further at the way ports can respond and possibly benefit from these developments. How will the shift to alternative energies in maritime transport and other transport modes affect ports? To what extent can Europe's decarbonisation agenda bring new business for ports? How can ports improve energy efficiency in their daily functioning?

The conference will also be an occasion to engage in an exchange of views on the policy priorities of the new Commissioner of Transport, Violeta Bulc. And with the participation of Knut Fleckenstein MEP, the European Parliament's rapporteur on the Port Regulation, it is clear that the port regulation will remain high on the Conference agenda.

The conference is taking place in the centrally-located Ledra Hotel, which will allow participants to network with a spectacular view of the Acropolis.

Finally, EPSO's host, the Port of Piraeus, will ensure that participants can fully enjoy the famed Greek hospitality.