HPC and ISL Partner to Advance Global Gateway Projects
The European Union's Global Gateway strategy has become a key framework for advancing sustainable infrastructure and transport projects worldwide. Yet experience shows that the path from a project idea to financing and implementation is often a long one. This is where the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) and HPC Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC) have launched a joint initiative focused on Global Gateway projects.
The initiative is aimed at port authorities, terminal operators, ministries and other public and private infrastructure stakeholders in partner countries outside the European Union that seek to further develop projects with a view to future financing and implementation. The focus is not on securing funding itself, but on developing robust, investment-ready project concepts that provide a solid foundation for future financing and implementation.
While many infrastructure projects are built on compelling visions, they often lack solid demand forecasts, economic assessments, feasibility evidence or clearly defined implementation structures. This gap between concept and execution frequently determines whether a project can progress to the next stage of development.
To address this challenge, ISL and HPC are combining their respective strengths. ISL contributes its expertise in applied maritime research, market intelligence, sustainability and data-driven decision-making. HPC complements this with extensive international experience in port and terminal development, infrastructure planning, operational optimisation and project implementation.
Together, both partners support infrastructure projects throughout the entire project development process – from opportunity assessment and feasibility analysis to market and economic studies, and ultimately the preparation of investment-ready projects within the Global Gateway framework. In doing so, they help create the foundations for subsequent financing and implementation by public and private investment partners.
"Many infrastructure projects have significant potential but require robust evidence and decision-making foundations to progress further. The combination of market intelligence, applied research and practical project experience provides exactly that," says Dr Burkhard Lemper, Managing Director of ISL.
Experience from project development activities also shows that some partner countries are not yet able to fully leverage the opportunities offered by the Global Gateway initiative due to the administrative requirements associated with project preparation and development.
"Global Gateway creates attractive opportunities for infrastructure projects. However, the key challenge is transforming a good project idea into an investment-ready project that can convince investors, financing partners and decision-makers. This is exactly where the cooperation between HPC and ISL is focused," says Hartmut Beyer, Authorized Officer and Head of Funding Management at HPC.
Drawing on their experience from international infrastructure projects and European research, innovation and funding programmes, both organisations contribute proven project development methodologies to the Global Gateway initiative. These approaches have been successfully applied in a wide range of international projects and can help strengthen the quality, maturity and implementation prospects of future Global Gateway projects.
About HPC
HPC Hamburg Port Consulting is an international management consulting firm specialising in ports, terminals, and transport and logistics infrastructure. Since 1976, HPC has supported public and private clients worldwide in the planning, development, optimisation and digitalisation of infrastructure projects. With more than 1,900 projects in 135 countries, HPC supports clients throughout the entire project lifecycle, from strategic assessments and master planning to investment decisions and implementation.
