The Department of Reunion and the Grand Port Maritime de la Réunion (GMPDLR) have signed an agreement for the 15 Ha expansion of port facilities in the ZAP (zone arrière portuaire – port’s rear area). This space will accommodate port activities currently located alongside the quay, new activities, connected with the energy transition, and logistics activities dedicated to industry (including food processing), distribution and transhipment. As part of the new agreement, the area will be reforested as part of the five-year “1 Million Trees for Reunion” plan of the Department of Reunion, contributing to the municipality’s policy in terms of biodiversity protection and fight against global warming. The agreement also includes the creation of a strategic body to monitor the progress of port and logistics projects linked to the ZAP.

Port Saint John has been celebrating each June the Port Days, a maritime conference, for more than 60 years. Unfortunately, in 2020, the event had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. This year is coming back with a virtual format, taking place on June 8th. Though the 2021 virtual edition will not include the local party with the community, Port Saint John and its partners are coming together to highlight pillars of the Port’s strategic direction leading to the Port of the Future. It will be an opportunity to discuss in 5 separate sessions about the port-city relationship and waterfront planning, cruises, innovation, and human capital. One session will be specially dedicated to the relationship with the community and will include as speakers the Port Saint John along with AIVP and Dublin Port Company. Registrations are open here.

It will be built in the immediate vicinity of dock no. 5 and the digital and innovation district that we told you about back in December. The two projects will be coordinated, especially when it comes to managing the public spaces and access to the sites.

There are plans for a new deep water port in Galway, freeing up space in the inland port close the city centre, which could be converted for urban uses. Under the proposals, a mixed-use district will be created combining housing, cultural and recreational facilities, public spaces, cycle and pedestrian routes. The project is being put to a public consultation.

Passenger transport ships have good cards to play as an alternative to short plane flights, which have been strongly criticized these past years for their carbon footprint. Especially in enclosed seas such as the Mediterranean or the Baltic, ferries can offer a fast travel but also a green alternative. Viking Line is currently working to launch LNG ferries with less CO² and less fine particles. These green ferries will link Turku (Finland) and Stockholm (Sweden). At the other side of Europe, the daily line between Denia (continental Spain) and Ibiza and Palma (Baleares islands) will be operated with new “fast ferries” which also work with LNG.