This was the challenge launched by the City of Marseille, for the 3rd edition of the “Smart Port Challenge”. This innovation programme, initiated by the Port of Marseille-Fos, the CCI Aix-Marseille Provence and Aix-Marseille University aims to develop innovative solutions for the port of the future. Edikom, the start-up that won the challenge, proposes to discover the history of the port of Marseille through virtual and interactive tours. After meeting with locals and realizing that 60% of the population does not know the history if its port, the company created a virtual walk over the coast of Marseille, using virtual reality, explaining the evolution of the port and exploring its heritage. The tour also includes visit to Saga, the world’s largest civilian submarine and the Ship Repair Interpretation Centre. The final goal of the project launched last weekend is “creating a lasting link between the people of Marseille and their port”. We will learn more about innovation ecosystems in the Port & City Days in Brussels.

The new observance, to be officially adopted by the IMO assembly in December 2021, will celebrate women in the industry, promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector, raise the profile of women in maritime, strengthen IMO’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality) and support work to address the current gender imbalance in maritime. Few weeks ago, Tiziana Murgia called our attention to the new agreement singed by Italian Ports to close the gender gap in the port sector. AIVP members from different, countries, such as Spain, Argentina, Chile or Canada, have presented in the past months several initiatives addressing this issue. However, women’s presence in the maritime sector remains limited and the new observance will increase the visibility of this problem.

The master plan for the central area of the Pailao River proposes working in tandem with nature to create eco-zones to mitigate the risk of flooding. The concrete quays will be turned into soft banks, acting like a sponge during the rainy season. The spaces below the road viaducts will be converted into hubs for cultural activities and exchanges. Pavilions mounted on piles will adapt to the changing water levels. They will also house services and retail outlets.

The Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network (MMHN) is currently in negotiations for the project with Development Victoria, the body behind in the Docklands redevelopment. MMHN insists that it wants to create not a traditional maritime museum, but rather a centre combining virtual and physical experiences, enabling visitors to better understand all aspects of the maritime economy. The idea is similar to the “Port Center by AIVP” concept, and we will be following its progress with interest. The plan also aims to create an iconic building designed to enhance the appeal of this waterfront precinct that is set for redevelopment.

No fewer than 19 of the world’s leading maritime shipping countries, including the US, Japan, Germany, Finland, and the Netherlands, adopted a joint declaration at the end of COP 26 in Glasgow (Scotland). They have pledged to create green corridors between several ports in their respective territories. These corridors are maritime routes which will eventually include a “zero carbon” obligation. Shore power will help to achieve this target, in ports at least. That is why the ports of Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn have signed a deal to guarantee that all vessels sailing between them will have access to shore power. In addition, low-carbon propulsion systems could be the second key component of these green corridors, with regular lines focused on green hydrogen now being looked at, as will soon be the case between Antwerp and the ports of Chile.