International Port City News
July 29, 2021
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Climate change
Massive flooding in Europe and East Asia: port cities in the front line
Cities located on the coast and rivers have been heavily affected by flooding around the world. The container port of Liège (Belgium) was shut down last week and navigation on the Meuse severely restricted. In the German provinces of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, a 76 km stretch of the Rhine was closed to barges completely, while numerous infrastructures were devastated. Finally, the industrial heart of East Asia, the Shanghai and Zhoushan region in China, saw shipping suspended with typhoon In-Fa, responsible for flooding in Hanan, set to hit the coastline. These meteorological disasters are linked to climate change: the Vice-President of the IPCC believes that every additional degree Celsius in temperature causes rains and storms to become 7% more severe. Port cities, central to industry in Europe and Asia, are both victims of the flooding and causes of industrial pollution. In the future, they must lead the way in decarbonation.
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Biodiversity
Studying and protecting biodiversity in French and Spanish port cities
The biodiversity on river estuaries such as the Seine, Loire or Guadalquivir is particularly rich and sensitive. These areas require special strategies based on thorough research and analysis, such as the one developed by the Urban planning Agency Le Havre – Estuaire de la Seine (AURH) (France) for the local urban community. In this document, the AURH explains among other things, the characteristics of this territory, types of species and the ecological networks. In the same direction, the Port of Nantes Saint-Nazaire (France) is supporting since 2011 research in this field. Two new projects, Biotrol and Oxymore, will expand the knowledge on the living conditions for local biodiversity, focusing on fisheries conservation and understanding water oxygenation. In Spain, the Port of Sevilla, was recently recognized for its work combining biodiversity protection and infrastructure, with the certification “Working with Nature” by World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure.
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Culture and identity
Port City of Liverpool (UK) loses World Heritage Status
UNESCO, the UN’s body responsible for heritage protection decided during the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, to remove Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City from the World Heritage List (WHL). The main argument for this decision is the impact of the Liverpool Waters development and other constructions in the site and buffer zone, including a new football stadium, that have caused a significant loss of its “authenticity and integrity”. Liverpool historic centre and Victorian docklands were part of this List since 2004, for its value as one of the world’s main trading centres during the 18th and 19th centuries and their heritage in “pioneering solutions for modern docks, transport systems and port management”. This is only the third site to be delisted by UNESCO in almost 50 years. On the opposite, the Chinese port city Quanzhou has been included in the WHL, recognizing its value as a historical maritime emporium and role in the maritime silk road.
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Port City interface
Call for projects for Saint-Nazaire (France)
The project “Saint-Nazaire, a maritime and coastal ambition” lays down a broad development roadmap for the next twenty years for the entire Saint-Nazaire territory. The initiative concerns various sites, and is looking for diverse and innovative solutions. It actually consists of two separate calls: one for “Standard” real estate development projects, and one for “Special” proposals, including those considered to be more exceptional or unusual. The four sites concerned by the call for urban and real estate development projects includes Ilot nautique in the Petit Maroc district, the city’s historic centre next to the Saint-Nazaire port basin. Among the sites for which “Special” proposals are being sought is “Submarine Pen 12” at Saint-Nazaire’s submarine base, an iconic location that is central to the Port-City project.
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Port City interface
(Italy) : New ambitions for the Genoa waterfront
“Porto Antico”, the celebrated project for the conversion of the old port of Genoa, will mark its 30th anniversary in 2022. The project has transformed the old port profoundly, turning it into an attractive, multi-functional urban space welcoming cultural events, congresses, exhibitions, businesses, new public spaces, etc. It has also contributed to a wider reorganisation of the city and relations between the city and its port, as Alberto Cappato, Innovation Director, recalls in this article on development and sustainability in Porto Antico. 2022 will also see the launching of two new redevelopment operations: to the east of Porto Antico the “Waterfront di Levante” project, conceived by Renzo Piano; while to the west, the Hennebique grain silos will be converted, together with the Ponte Parodi wharf. Genoa is not standing still in its ambition to become one of the major cities, if not the “Capital of the Mediterranean”.
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Human capital
EMPA – The maritime pilot is an indispensable human resource
While digitalization is undoubtedly a major transformation underway in the maritime industry, we must not forget the essential role played by humans in bringing ships to dock. A pilot is capable of escorting a ship with the appropriate level of safety, even if the digital means are failing and the weather is threatening. In the way we imagine the “port of the future”, the smartest option is to consider the complementarity between pilotage on the ship and the automation of certain operations. As part of our “human capital” content block, we were pleased to give Captain Erik Dalege, President of the European Maritime Pilots Association, the opportunity to write an opinion piece.
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Port City interface
In Le Havre (France), work continues apace on the site dedicated to the nautical sector in the City Port interface. The first tranche of work will be delivered this summer.
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Port City interface
The skate park built at the Port of Brussels has been officially opened. The bank between the skate park and the cruise terminal has also been redeveloped.
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Port City interface
The new waterfront promenade in Marina di Carrara (Italy) will command panoramic views of the sea and the port.
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Energy transition and circular economy
Abu Dhabi (UAE) is set to produce ammonia from green hydrogen for maritime transport
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Climate change
Gujarat (India): solar panels built above navigable waterways to reduce fresh water evaporation and cool the panels
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Energy transition and circular economy
A start-up in Rennes (France) is set to use the “osmotic” energy obtained when fresh water and salt water meet in estuaries.
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Health and life quality
New measures will make the urban beaches of Quebec (Canada) and Barcelona (Spain) more inclusive, helping people with disabilities.
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Culture and identity
S+T+ARTS4Water: Open call for 10 residencies for artists focusing on water challenges. Sites include the port of Rotterdam and the Venetian lagoon. North Sea Port will support the Watercapitalism project.
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Human capital
Winners of the 3rd Smart Port Challenge of Marseille (France) announced. 9 start-ups will work in the challenges around the theme “A port in its territory”.
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Human capital
The Port of Algeciras (Spain) launches the Algeciras Port Youth Community linking young professionals and the maritime port logistics sector.
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Culture and identity
The Baburizza Museum celebrates the collaboration with the Port of ValparaĂso with the inauguration of the new exhibition room and the award ceremony of the children drawing competition.
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