European Ports Alliance grows to 31 members

Four months after its formation, the European Ports Alliance has grown to 31 members. The alliance aims to support national customs and law enforcement agencies in their fight against drug trafficking and organised crime. 

There was a huge increase in drug seizures in several European ports, including in Belgium, last year. In response, the European Union launched the European Ports Alliance, which aims to improve cooperation and intelligence between police, customs officials and private marine terminal operators. Today, four months after its launch in Antwerp, 31 ports have joined the alliance.

“The alliance is becoming operational,” European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said on Tuesday. “Customs officials are visiting each other's ports and exchanging their best practices. Soon we will discuss operational measures that can be taken against criminal infiltrations in ports.”

Johansson also announced that she would appoint a Commission Coordinator for the Fight against Drug Trafficking, to help implement policies effectively.

^{An armed customs officer at the Port of Antwerp © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS}