AIVP-MedCruise new joint Working Group focused on sustainable port-city relationships and cruises was officially launched on Wednesday 27th October 2021. The kick-off meeting held online with the members of both organisations emphasise the importance of the WG and the main goal to reflect and share of good practices that can facilitate a better and sustainable coexistence between port cities and cruises. During the kick-off meeting, were identified the main topics linked with the port-city sustainability, which are cruises acceptability-social integration, communication and engagement with stakeholders, environmental challenges, restart of cruises and post-COVID recovery and increase of the positive economic impact of cruise calls to be among them. The 25 members of the group include ports and cities from Europe, Africa, North and South America. We will host a session focusing on cruises and tourism in the next AIVP Port & City Days in Brussels, on November 25th and 26th.

Where the foundations of offshore wind turbines rest on the seabed, currents and sedimentary deposits can be affected.  The vast wind farms installed at sea can have a non-negligible impact on crustaceans and molluscs living in the silt and sand at the bottom, or on species of fish that reproduce in the area. The prevent this, the company ECOncrete – which recently joined AIVP – has developed a system for protecting sediments. The first systems will be installed in the United States, with the help of Lafarge Holcim, as part of President Biden’s Green Deal.

At the end of the 1980s, the town acquired “Le Gabut”, a site formerly used for port activities. Shops, housing, and offices gradually populated the area. However, a 5,000 m2 space remained, combining both an esplanade overlooking the port and abandoned buildings. Plans for a hotel on the site were ultimately shelved in 2014. This summer, the municipal authority launched a public consultation to breathe new life into this disused area. The aim is to develop socio-cultural activities, while preserving the iconic site’s maritime heritage.

James Corner Field Operations was chosen to lead this huge project along an 18 km stretch of waterfront. The firm recently revealed the project outline to the public, stressing that the plans are not final and will change. Various consultation meetings are due to take place in the coming weeks and months. One of the aims is to reconnect waterfront areas and the 19 districts concerned, which have been fragmented over time by the various infrastructures built there. The creation of parks, public spaces, and new access paths and routes will give priority to pedestrians and cyclists. They will restore community cohesion and access to the river. The waterfront redevelopment will also make the area more resilient against storms and flood risks, including by creating wetlands, which also help to promote biodiversity.

The port of Lisbon (Portugal) celebrated its 134th anniversary with several days with activities, including port visits, a regatta, seminars, and a photo competition. One of the highlights of the weekend was the inauguration of a special, very colourful, basketball court in the port territory next to the container terminal. The project is a cooperation between the port authority and Hoopers collective, with urban artist Flix. At the same time, the 21st edition of the Quebec Marine Day took place in Canada. The events engaged several ports, with activities such as career days, conferences and drawing competitions.

The initiative launched by the by the Getting to Zero Coalition in partnership with the Global Maritime Forum, World Economic Forum and Friends of Ocean Action, calls on public and private organizations from the maritime, energy and financial sectors to accelerate the energy transition of international shipping and achieve the goal of zero emissions by 2050. The Call will be presented at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26) taking place this week in Glasgow (Scotland). Among the 200 signatories are 15 ports, including AIVP members, the ports of Algeciras, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Barcelona, London, Montreal, Rotterdam, Valencia and Vancouver. The energy transition will be the main topic of the high-level roundtable during the AIVP Port & Days in Brussels next November 25th and 26th.