Two recent initiatives by the Port of Quebec (Canada) shows its capacity to lead towards sustainable port city relationship and environmental responsibility. The port authority will use RightShip’s greenhouse gas rating tool to assess and manage the emissions of ships in its waters. The EcoCargo initiative aims to drive shipping decarbonization through fee reduction based on RightShip data. On the other hand, the new Port of Quebec Oasis, a harbor bathing area will connect with the local population and make the port accessible. The port basin, located at Bassin Louise, will allow the community to ice fish in the winter, swim in the summer, as well as other recreational activities. Additionally, along with the ports of Montreal and Trois-Rivières, a new regional port vision is on the making to guarantee more sustainable port activities. We will learn about these initiatives in the upcoming special event linked to the United Nations Ocean Conference, which will be held June 25th, 2022 in Matosinhos, Portugal. In this session co-organized by the AIVP and the OECD, he will discuss the blue economy, the energy transition, and the role of ports in local and regional development.

At the most recent boat show in Venice, the port authorities reaffirmed their attachment to maritime history. As part of the European Remember Project, the port authorities presented their plan to create a virtual tour of the ship pavilion, to mark the launch of the historic naval museum guide. They also presented a platform dedicated to the history of three naval buildings, in collaboration with the Navy, the Foundation of Civic Museums of Venice, and the Museum of the South Lagoon in Chioggia. Visitors will be able to learn about the port system, shipbuilding, and the workings of the port of Marghera.  

A hefty 130 million euros will go towards a number of innovative green projects, under the aegis of the Valenciaport foundation. The plan will see electric substations for shore power launched soon, along with pilot projects for port machines running on green hydrogen. These initiatives will improve air quality for local residents in the Valencia area, while sending a positive signal to private investors concerned about their environmental footprint. Also as part of efforts to serve the local area, electric terminals will be installed for recharging cars, bicycles, and scooters in the Marina zone. The moves follow the recent signing of an agreement between the City and Port. 

The EU-funded REST-COAST project aims to show that coastal ecosystems can help to protect us from the effects of climate change. It promotes three solutions:

However, according to Jordi Vila, Chief Environmental Officer at the Port of Barcelona, these nature-based solutions currently do not look to be enough.  Ports have a part to play in restoring coastal environments. For this reason, they are looking at installing blocks ECOncrete or panels from Ocean Ecostructures.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium) and Plug Power Inc. have agreed to build a 35-tons-per-day green hydrogen generation plant on 28 acres of land leased by the port authority. Plug will erect it using its own electrolyzer and liquefaction technology. The plant will produce around 12,500 tons per year of liquid and gaseous green hydrogen for the European market.

In West Dunbartonshire, located outside of Glasgow, Scotland (UK), Peel NRE received the local Council’s green light to construct a GBP 20 million hydrogen facility. The 13,500-ton facility will produce hydrogen from non-recyclable plastic waste destined for landfill, incineration, or overseas export. The plastic converted to hydrogen will help encourage the creation of infrastructure needed for hydrogen vehicles and hydrogen refueling stations.