While the economic effects of the global pandemic remain uncertain, two new initiatives reflect on the influence of global pandemic. Port of London of Authority (UK) just published a research report on the Great River Cities response to COVID-19. This publication makes a summary of Great River Cities’ responses, innovations and forward-looking agendas and reflects on the influence of the pandemic on short-, medium- and long-term development plans.
In Spain, Port Authorities of Valencia, Coruña, Alicante and Castelló, and Puertos del Estado just published the book ““Imágenes Imborrables – Unforgettable Images” paying tribute to the collective effort made to overcome the health crisis and its emotional burden. The volume gathers a compilation of images that were part of the exhibition with the same title, and new ones from the other port cities.

SemBreizh and the Brittany Region have accepted the project put forward by AREP to modernise the ferry terminal site in Saint-Malo. The proposals take account of the site’s historic value, and include a range of solutions designed to ensure the facility has a reduced carbon footprint. A consultation was held on the complete project in the autumn of 2020, and the delivery date has been pencilled in for 2025.

The Municipality, the port authority and the Region have signed an agreement for the urban regeneration and redevelopment of the Old Port districts. The consortium Ursus (Urban Sustainable System) is being created and will determine which assets remain municipal property and which ones can be transferred to the port, along with the possibilities for private investment. The various projects already completed – congress centre, museum zones, Bovedo park, pedestrian and cycle paths, etc., will be promoted. Others are in progress (Maritime Museum) or planned, especially for the big historic warehouses. Housing, high-tech industries, services, shops (but not shopping malls), and green spaces could also be created. A cruise terminal may complete the redevelopment of the whole district.

The port of Algeciras (Spain) has launched the 24th edition of their regional support program. This edition will prioritize projects and organizations supporting people in need, especially those affected by the COVID-19. In the cultural section, projects related to the port-maritime environment and the Blue Economy will be prioritized. Applications open until May 2nd. In London (UK), the Port Authority has launched a new Environment Fund focused on community projects that can help to improve the Thames environment. The priority will be projects dealing with Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) and litter. The deadline for applications is 5.00 pm on Friday 28 May 2021.

In March 15th, the Port System Authority of the Ionian Sea concluded the project launched last October to rethink the Italian port city as an innovative cruise and tourism destination. The event included the final stage of the hackathon Hack for Destination Taranto, where several teams presented their ideas for 3 goals of the new strategy, including alternative tourism, transformation of port areas and innovative storytelling. The 4 winning projects propose new bike visits, services for female travellers, a co-living and co-working space one the seaside and a sustainable floating platform for restaurants and local food. These projects will be supported in the development path of Invitalia.

Improving the air and water quality is one of the main challenges for port cities. In Barcelona (Spain), the port authority installed an innovative mupi (advertising panel), that purifies the air with the same capacity as 20 trees. In Rotterdam (The Netherlands), three new plastic catchers (Plasticvangers) have been installed to stop this kind of waste of lowing into the North Sea. The collected plastic will be reused for new sustainable products. This new initiative is a result from the collaboration between the municipality, water authorities, private companies, and the NGO Clear Rivers. In the same field, the port of Valencia (Spain) has received the EnerTIC award commitment to environmental sustainability and efficiency in port operations, especially for the GREEN C PORTS project, that includes an innovative network of sensors.