An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck south-eastern Turkey, resulting in the tragic loss of thousands of lives. The images of the port of Iskenderun in flames have shocked the world. Emergency services have been working at the site for several days. The port city of Mersin, 200 km to the west, is playing a key role in dealing with the tragedy, receiving maritime traffic destined for Iskenderun and acting as a hub for accommodating refugees. International aid efforts are being organised, with the maritime sector playing its part. The federation of maritime operators TÜRKLIM has sent equipment to help victims or put out fires. Maersk has donated 1,000 containers transformed into makeshift dormitories. CMA CGM is sending humanitarian supplies by cargo plane. AIVP members, like Dürres (Albania) or Trieste (Italy), serve as logistics hubs for international aid. The AIVP team is at the disposal of the Turkish authorities to plan the reconstruction of the port city of Iskenderun.

The world’s leading economy is set to inject a total of $662 million of investment in port infrastructures in 2023. The unprecedented investment comes on top of other road, rail, and environmental grants provided to ports. The plan, which aims to decarbonise American ports, is all part of the Biden administration’s Green New Deal. Projects supported under the plan include the installation of fast charging stations for port machines and vehicles in Jacksonvilla (Florida), the creation of a multimodal terminal in Kaskaskia (Illinois), and improvements to the power and rainwater networks at the port of Cleveland (Ohio).  

The port of Valparaíso, Chile, has recently supported two artistic and educational initiatives to raise the cultural profile of the city: the International Festival Valparaíso Tango and the interactive mural that allows to learn about marine species through an app. The 33rd edition of the dancing festival took place in the port authority’s HQ and on the waterfront promenade Muelle Barón, where the future Port Center will be located. The new interactive mural “SuelAR” was inaugurated, on the Torperderas Beach, valorizing the local fauna and the work done by civic organizations to protect the area. This initiative brought together several key actors from different sectors, such as academia, port and heritage conservation. Using their smartphones, visitors will learn about the species inhabiting the coastal system and in the long-term transform this space into a center for recreation, tourism and cultural development. 

“PULSE – The Port-clUster LandScapE: Developing a Spatial and Design Approach to Port Clusters”, this is the title of the new research project to be led by AIVP expert Dr. Beatrice Moretti, from the University of Genoa, Italy. The research project will study the spatial, urban and architectural impacts related to the clustering phenomenon in contemporary European ports. Dr. Moretti’s main goal is to provide a spatial framework for this phenomenon and to develop a design approach to port clusters including a toolkit of design strategies, lexical categories and multi-level maps aimed at recognizing port clusters as a challenging field for architecture and urban design. PULSE will focus on the spatial impacts of the Ligurian port cluster (ports of Genoa, Savona, Vado Ligure), and compare them with other cases on a more advanced stage (e.g. the Rhine/Meuse Delta). The project will last 2 years and host several events and publications. 

The Malaga (Spain) Port Authority, City Council, Chamber of Commerce, and other key industry actors have come together to create the Málagaport Foundation. This private non-profit foundation will aim to promote the maritime-port environment as a space of opportunity and as a strategic enclave for blue economy activities such as logistics, tourism, training, innovation, and sustainability. The foundation will work on detecting the needs and challenges of the port community and aim to address them transversally. These solutions will include the application of innovative technology, promotion of trainings, and supporting projects in the port environment. The main beneficiaries will be the entities that make up the Port Community and its hinterland.