Ports are working to minimize plastic and waste pollution in their waters. Port of Rotterdam (the Netherlands) and GIDARA Energy announced the next advanced biofuels facility, which will convert non-recyclable waste into advanced methanol. Port of Antwerp (Belgium) is launching an innovation challenge to develop a solution to prevent the loss of pellets during further throughput. The Port of Barcelona (Spain) has doubled its specialized fleet to diminish pollution through the removal of floating waste from its inland waters. Lastly, CMA CGM has decided to no longer carry plastic waste on its ships after 15/04/2022 to help protect the oceans and biodiversity and ensure that the waste is not exported to destinations where sorting and recycling are not assured.

Almost a year after storm Ida struck in July 2021, New York and Newark are moving to reinforce their resilience strategies aimed at creating a more permeable urban environment.  Since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the two cities have been working with local stakeholders to anticipate the risk of flooding and design post-disaster scenarios. While New York is focusing on strengthening calls for tender in the field of landscape development, Newark is enlisting the help of engineering consultants from Arcadis to improve its strategy for the period up to 2070. Whatever happens, both cities will need to take flood defence measures into account in their economic and urban development ambitions.

After two years of the pandemic, negotiations for the development of Astoria’s waterfront are coming to an end. The plan will connect the industrial sites at Halletts Point with the rest of the peninsula, and include a new hotel. Depending on future circumstances, it could also mean a new market hall, fishing village, and promenade. Input from landscape architecture, urban design and planning firm Walker Macy helped to smooth the decision-making process, by offering a new perspective and suggesting innovative features. Further changes could be made to the master plan after it comes into effect in May 2022.

The two ports signed a five-year partnership agreement on 20 April. The collaboration aims at creating a network of medium-sized European ports to promote knowledge and experience sharing. North Sea Port and the port of Gothenburg are keen to strengthen their commercial interests and support freight shipping between them. They also aim to encourage the sharing of knowledge and best practices in certain sectors, such as renewables, sustainable development, and digitisation. All of these issues are covered in AIVP’s 2030 Agenda.