As part of the ambitious port expansion project of San Antonio (Chile), the port authority is developing a broad citizen participation program. The last stage of it took place between October and December 2022, gathering more than 400 participants and 3000 observations in the cities impacted by the new project. The citizens were able to get first-hand information about the new outer port project and the improvements that have been done to respond to the environmental concern, public spaces and other actions. One of the main concerns to be addressed by the new project will be managing the increased traffic flow on the local road network. The debate is part of the process for the environmental impact assessment.

In Barcelona (Spain), the port authority and the municipality have worked together to present a plan restructuring the Coastal Ring Road (Ronda Litoral) to reduce the impact of the port’s truck traffic. This project is a response to the national government’s intention of doubling the viaduct to improve traffic flow, a solution that would impact the connection of the city with the sea and was finally rejected. Instead, the existing infrastructure will be improved to include two new dedicated lanes to access port, one in each way, isolating and simplifying the circulation of heavy vehicles. The goal would also be to include space for pedestrian and cyclists and gradually integrate this highway in the urban landscape.

New Zealand and Australian ports have recently taken strict measures to prevent biofouling in harbor waters. A Viking cruise ship was refused arrival at four ports of call on a two-week Australia-New Zealand cruise as it required hull cleaning to remove biofoul that was found to be attached due to long unuse during the Covid-19 period. Both Australia and New Zealand have national biofouling regulations, which aim to prevent marine pests from arriving in both countries on the submerged surfaces of international vessels and damaging local ecosystems. Australia is still in its “education first” period, as the new rules took effect in June 2022 and the government is still explaining them to operators.

Israel has announced that vessels calling at its ports will have to use fuels with a 0.10% maximum sulphur content starting February 2023. This new regulation is similar to the EU directive for ships at berth. Countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea have agreed to the International Maritime Organization’s decision to establish a Sulphur oxide and particulate matter Emission Control Area (SECA). Once the SECA zone becomes effective in 2025, all commercial vessels will have to use fuels with a sulphur content less than 0.1%. This is expected to reduce emissions drastically.

Slovenia’s main port is following an ambitious decarbonisation roadmap. Having already launched plans to build the country’s second largest solar power plant with the support of the Municipality and the EU, the port authority is now set to update its charges to promote greater environmental responsibility. Port dues will be cut by 5% for vessels that score between 30 and 49.9 points under the ESI index. The discount will be increased to 10% for ships that beat the index average, i.e. those achieving a score of at least 50 out of 100. These discounted fees for low emissions ships came into effect on 1 January.