On September 19th, 2024, the POSEIDON Consortium gathered in the vibrant city of Murcia, Spain, for its highly anticipated fourth Management Board Meeting. This event marked a crucial moment in the life cycle of the project, as it reflected on 18 months of successful collaboration, significant milestones, and paved the way for the final phase of the initiative.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including public and private sector partners, with the shared goal of enhancing transparency and integrity within the European port sector. The discussions were focused on shaping the project’s upcoming activities and ensuring its long-lasting impact on port governance across Europe.
Key Highlights from the Meeting:
- Refining Good Practices to Combat Corruption
The day commenced with a dynamic brainstorming session, during which the consortium partners engaged in a collaborative effort to identify and refine a set of best practices. These practices are designed to specifically address the challenges of corruption in major European ports, ensuring a more transparent and accountable operational environment.
- Establishing an EU Port Supply Chain Integrity Standard
One of the most significant discussions revolved around the development of an EU-wide Integrity Standard for port supply chains. The proposed standard aims to bolster transparency, mitigate risks of unethical practices, and promote integrity throughout the complex supply chains that operate within European ports.
- Dashboard for Public and Private Stakeholders
A key proposal unveiled during the meeting was the creation of a comprehensive Dashboard. This tool will provide EU port stakeholders—both public and private—with streamlined access to the wealth of data and results generated by the POSEIDON project. By offering a user-friendly interface, the Dashboard will facilitate the dissemination and utilisation of the project’s insights and recommendations.
- Planning for the Final Capitalisation Event
The consortium also turned its attention to the project’s upcoming events, including a Final Capitalisation Event. This high-profile event is set to take place towards the end of the project and will serve as a platform to showcase the successes, lessons learned, and long-term implications of POSEIDON’s work. It promises to be a key moment for engaging with stakeholders across Europe and beyond, highlighting the project’s contribution to the port sector.
Looking Ahead to the Final Phase of POSEIDON
As POSEIDON enters its final six months, the focus will be on consolidating the achievements to date and ensuring that the outcomes are effectively communicated and integrated into port governance systems across Europe. The project’s ultimate goal remains to foster a culture of integrity and transparency within the European port sector—one that is equipped to tackle corruption and inefficiencies through innovative, sustainable solutions.
