On 24 January 2024, the European Commission, in collaboration with the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, launched the European Ports Alliance and its Public-Private Partnership, designed to intensify the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime. This initiative aims to unite key stakeholders in developing strategies to protect EU ports, which have become prime targets for the smuggling of illegal goods, including drugs.

Drug trafficking remains one of Europe’s most significant security threats, as criminal networks infiltrate ports using extreme violence, corruption, and intimidation to facilitate the movement of illicit goods. In 2022, EU Customs seized 500 tonnes of drugs, over 50% of which was cocaine. The European Ports Alliance is designed to address these challenges by enhancing security in ports across the EU through several key measures:

1. Investment in Modern Equipment: €200 million will be allocated to equip EU Customs with cutting-edge technology, enabling them to scan containers and monitor imports more efficiently. This will significantly improve the detection of illegal substances and other contraband in ports.
2. Coordinated Law Enforcement: The Alliance will promote closer cooperation between Member States, the European Commission, Europol, Eurojust, the European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO), and the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT). These entities will work together on targeted, effective law enforcement operations within EU ports.
3. Public-Private Partnership: By fostering collaboration between port authorities and shipping companies, this partnership will strengthen security measures around logistics, sensitive information, personnel, and operational processes, creating a unified front against criminal networks seeking to exploit ports.

The European Ports Alliance is a flagship initiative of the EU Roadmap to fight drug trafficking and organised crime, which was adopted by the Commission on 18 October 2023. The Public-Private Partnership will meet annually at the ministerial level to assess progress, identify challenges, and set strategic priorities moving forward.

During this high-profile launch event, ARIEN was honoured to be invited to present its project as a key player in the fight against drug trafficking. The opportunity to showcase ARIEN’s innovative solutions and discuss their role in protecting ports alongside such distinguished stakeholders was truly significant. This recognition affirms the importance of ARIEN’s contributions to enhancing port security and reinforces our commitment to supporting the EU’s security goals.

Fighting organised crime and drug trafficking is a top priority for the European Commission, as reflected in the EU Security Union Strategy, the EU Strategy to Tackle Organised Crime, and the EU Drugs Strategy. The European Ports Alliance and its coordinated efforts mark a major step forward in strengthening the EU’s ability to protect its borders, secure its ports, and disrupt the operations of criminal networks across Europe.

For more information, please visit: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/european-ports-alliance-fight-drug-trafficking-and-organised-crime-2024-01-24_en