The Chairman of the Board and CEO of Patras Port Authority S.A., Panagiotis G. Anastasopoulos, participated in the ESPO Conference 2026, held in Gdańsk, Poland.The ESPO Conference is the leading institutional forum for European ports and the maritime industry, where major challenges and strategic choices shaping the future of European transport, the energy transition, and supply chains are discussed. Within this context, Anastasopoulos highlighted the critical role that Europe’s regional ports can play in the new geo-economic environment, such as Patras, stressing that Europe’s resilience cannot rely exclusively on a limited number of major port hubs.Particular emphasis was placed on the strategic position of the Port of Patras as a key gateway linking the Southeastern Mediterranean with the European market, as well as an emerging Ro-Ro and logistics hub that increasingly connects Greece with Italy, France, Turkey, and Egypt.In his remarks, Anastasopoulos noted: “Europe needs resilient, energy-smart and well-connected ports. Patras is a natural gateway of Europe to the Eastern Mediterranean, with a growing role in intermodal transport, Ro-Ro and cargo ferry services, the energy transition, and the region’s evolving logistics geography.” The conference also addressed the major challenges facing European ports, including:decarbonisation of transportshore-side electricity supply (cold ironing)the need to strengthen port infrastructure against the climate crisiscybersecurity.A key topic of discussion was also the need to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy through secure and resilient maritime networks embodied by European ports.Patras Port Authority S.A. presented the initiatives being implemented at the Port of Patras under its approved Master Plan, with emphasis on:development of modern logistics infrastructureenhancement of Ro-Ro connectionsenergy infrastructure and cold ironingcruise development and the Patradise Marina for the Northern Port, andintegration of the port into sustainable European transport networks.The participation of Patras Port Authority S.A. in ESPO Conference 2026 is part of its strategy of internationalisation and active European engagement, aimed at strengthening the position of the Port of Patras as a modern, outward-looking, and strategically significant European port.