On September 20th, the Port Authority presented a 30 million euro project to redevelop the port of Piombino (Italy). The emphasis is on landscape quality, with an energy and architectural overhaul of the ferry terminal, a new 43 m-high pilot tower and an innovative reed-like breakwater. Attention is also being paid to energy use and production, with systems to reduce energy consumption and the installation of a photovoltaic power plant. Tenders for the design and construction are due to be published in March 2024.

50 million Euro will be allocated to promote the economic conversion of the Liguria region. This region, which has been hit by a crisis in industrial production activities, will benefit from funds for research, business start-ups and industrial transition. The endowment fund is financed by national ministries, regional authorities and companies. Both the Port Authority of the Eastern Ligurian Sea and the Industrial Union will benefit from part of these funds and participate in this program.

Betting on the long term, acting quickly on the short term: the Helsinki Port Authority (Finland) is playing on all fronts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025, ahead of European targets. Quayside connection of ships began in 2012 and will be fully deployed on all quays by 2030. This will avoid the emission of 11,000 tons of CO2 per year. Other concrete projects, such as a carbon-negative ferry terminal that offsets more than its footprint, are currently underway. Road congestion due to port activity is also a factor in air pollution, hence the work to divert traffic to a port access tunnel to reduce traffic jams.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (USA) released its Net-Zero Roadmap for 2050 at the start of the Climate Week NYC. The plan comprises 40 actions for both short and long-term emission reduction goals and for the cooperation with tenants and contractors. The Port Authority is on track to meet its interim goal of 35% direct emissions reduction by 2025 by increasing the use of solar power, electrifying the vehicles and cranes, and building infrastructure for the decarbonization process. The roadmap for 2050 will continue such initiatives and include projects such as making their buildings fossil free.

The Port of Dublin (Ireland) took last week an important step in its port city distributed museum plan, with the opening of the refurbished early-20^th century electric substation. In 2016, the building was scheduled for demolition, but the Port of Dublin decided to apply for protected structure status, later discovering that it was in fact standing on a section of the old 18^th century city sea wall. After this, the port authority invested €3 million to recover and extend the building, including a glass floor, actually making the hidden wall visible. Additionally, other remarkable findings were made, including clay pipes from dock workers from the 19^th century. The new refurbished substation will work as a new interpretive centre and venue for small-scale events.