A marine biodiversity observatory is under construction on one of the docks at the port of Vigo. This observation and monitoring facility will also work to raise public awareness. The initiative is part of the EU-funded “Living Ports” programme. It also includes plans to create a promenade on a dock where 100 Coastal Locks will be installed, concrete units designed by ECOncrete to mitigate the environmental impact of port facilities and encourage biodiversity. You may recall that we reported on this solution in our interview with the company ECOncrete, a member of AIVP.

The Port of San Diego selected developers “1HWY1” in 2016 to redevelop the central area of its waterfront. Since then, they have fine-tuned the project together and on 8 March 2022, the Seaport San Diego project was unveiled to the port’s staff and the public to get their feedback. Over 70% of the mixed-use programme will consist of public spaces, with hotels, a congress center, viewing tower, and a Blue Tech Innovation Center. A transition plan for businesses at the existing Seaport Village will also be implemented.

Cameroon is launching the Aquaculture Business Development Program (ABDP), supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). IFAD will provide 21.3 billion FCFA to boost aquaculture in 10 Cameroonian regions. The predecessor program, the Aquaculture Entrepreneurship Promotion Program (PPEA), tripled production from 5,000 to 10,000 tons a year between 2016 and 2020.

The aim of the ABDP project is threefold. First, by boosting the aquaculture sector, the government aims to increase employment opportunities, secure livelihoods, a vital food source, and nutritional security. Second, it aims to reduce the costs of fish imports. Lastly, it consolidates the PPEA’s success and diversifies the national economy.

The Ports of Antwerp and Cotonou will collaborate with UNICEF to establish sustainable and resilient supply chains. The aim is to maximize positive environmental, social, and economic impacts of national supply chains and enhance equitable access to essential supplies needed for children. The partnership will produce a white book with recommendations on designing and implementing long-term strategies for supply chains.

The Port of Antwerp signed the World Economic Forum Supply Chain & Transport Industry Charter in December 2020, in support of UNICEF. The Port of Cotonou, the economic heart of Benin and a gateway for the sub-region, has worked with the port of Antwerp since 2018 to modernize itself. Cotonou will provide secondment expertise to the UNICEF collaboration.

Belgian rail operator Infrabel and the Federal Government are to invest an extra €33.5 million in the Ghent part of the port over the coming years. The Port wants to increase the share of rail freight from 9% to 15%, to make its transport system more sustainable. Investment will be made in the Kluizendok and Mercatordok docks to extend the four- and six-track networks up to 750 metres (the European standard). Infrabel is also set to improve the existing rail infrastructures. By next May, three tracks will already have been extended to 750 metres.