Puertos del Estado promotes transparency in the management of European funds
• The state-owned port system manages €432 million from the ERDF and EMFAF programmes for the 2021–2027 period
• Puertos del Estado holds a conference to address key and emerging aspects of fund management
24 April 2025 (Puertos del Estado). Spain’s state-owned port system manages €432 million during the 2021–2027 period, sourced from the Multi-Regional Operational Programme of Spain under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – €416 million – and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) – €16 million. To examine the most relevant aspects of fund management, Puertos del Estado has organised a conference that began today with an opening address by the Secretary General of the institution, Clara La Calle López-Gay, who highlighted "the importance and impact that European funds have had over the last 30 years – over €4 billion – in transforming the Spanish port system into a more competitive and globally recognised benchmark."
Over the course of two days, senior officials from external management and oversight bodies within the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will join representatives from Puertos del Estado and the Port Authorities to analyse the most important and innovative aspects of European fund management, focusing on areas such as administration, auditing, investment, and communication.
As an intermediary body between the managing authorities and the Port Authorities as beneficiaries, Puertos del Estado’s goal is to ensure the highest standards of transparency and rigour in the management of European funds.
During this period, the aid allocated to the state-owned port system under the Multi-Regional Operational Programme of Spain focuses on two key objectives: a Greener Europe, through actions related to energy efficiency, renewables, and onshore power supply for vessels; and a More Connected Europe, by improving rail accessibility and supporting island regions.
Under the EMFAF programme, efforts are centred on two investment priorities: fishing ports, landing sites, auction halls and mooring facilities; and waste collection, with the active involvement of fishers both at sea and on beaches.