Ten port authorities representing the European Union’s outermost regions are working toward the creation of a joint association to strengthen maritime cooperation and representation in European policymaking. The initiative, supported by the Canary Islands Government, is expected to advance at an upcoming meeting in Guadeloupe.
Port authorities from the European Union’s outermost regions are advancing plans to establish a permanent association to coordinate their interests and strengthen their collective representation. The proposal was discussed on September 17, 2026, at a working meeting in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, hosted by the Canary Islands Government alongside the Seatrade Cruise Med event.
The initiative brings together ten port authorities and organisations representing nine outermost regions across France, Spain and Portugal. It seeks to formalise cooperation already underway on maritime connectivity, sustainability, energy transition and European port policy.
Building on Existing Port Cooperation
The proposed association would bring together ports located across the Caribbean, South America, the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean, reflecting the geographical diversity of the EU’s outermost regions.
The participating territories include Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Saint-Martin, Réunion and Mayotte, alongside the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores. The Canary Islands are represented by two separate port authorities, Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The initiative builds on a series of joint activities undertaken over the past year. Representatives met in Miami in April 2026 to discuss shared maritime challenges and identify opportunities for closer coordination.
In May, port representatives also held institutional meetings in Brussels with three European Commission directorates-general: DG CLIMA, responsible for climate action; DG MOVE, for mobility and transport; and DG MARE, for maritime affairs and fisheries.
Their cooperation has included the preparation of a joint position paper on the European Ports Strategy, which was submitted to the European Commission.
These activities have provided a foundation for a more structured form of collaboration, moving beyond individual meetings toward the possibility of a permanent organisation.
A Collective Voice in European Maritime Policy
The association is intended to give port authorities in the outermost regions a more coordinated voice in discussions with national governments and European institutions.
Despite operating in different maritime markets, the participating ports face common challenges related to geographical remoteness, maritime connectivity, infrastructure requirements and the costs of adapting to environmental and energy regulations.
Pablo Rodríguez, the Canary Islands Government’s Minister of Public Works, Housing and Mobility, expressed support for the initiative during the Las Palmas meeting.
He emphasised the importance of coordination among outermost regions and argued that a common association would strengthen their ability to represent shared interests before Spain and the European Union.
The proposal also comes amid renewed European attention to the specific circumstances of outermost regions.
On September 10, 2026, the European Commission presented a new strategy aimed at strengthening their competitiveness, regional integration and resilience. Among its priorities are the development of the blue economy, renewable energy, climate adaptation and the protection of critical infrastructure, including ports and submarine cables.
While the Commission’s strategy is separate from the association proposal, it provides a relevant policy context for discussions about the operational and investment needs of these maritime territories.
Guadeloupe to Host the Next Step
The Canary Islands Government plans to present the association proposal at the next meeting of the EU Outermost Regions Ports Group, scheduled to take place in Guadeloupe alongside the Conference of Presidents of the Outermost Regions.
The proposal includes establishing a dedicated working group to define the future organisation’s structure, operating arrangements and priorities.
Guadeloupe Port Caraïbes, the Grand Port Maritime de la Martinique and the port authority of Saint-Martin were among the Caribbean organisations represented at the September meeting in Las Palmas.
Their participation reflects the initiative’s relevance beyond Europe itself, connecting port authorities operating across several maritime regions under a shared European institutional framework.
The association has not yet been formally established, and its governance arrangements and implementation timetable remain to be defined.
The upcoming discussions in Guadeloupe will therefore represent a further step in determining how existing cooperation among outermost region ports could develop into a permanent representative organisation.
FAQ
What is the proposed EU Outermost Regions Ports Association?
It is an initiative to establish a permanent organisation bringing together port authorities from the European Union’s outermost regions to strengthen cooperation and coordinate their representation in European maritime policy discussions.
Which regions are involved in the initiative?
The initiative covers Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Saint-Martin, Réunion, Mayotte, the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores. Ten port authorities and organisations represent these nine territories.
What is the next step toward establishing the association?
The Canary Islands Government intends to present the proposal at an upcoming meeting in Guadeloupe, where participants are expected to discuss creating a working group to define the association’s structure and activities.
