Under the banner “Re-imagining the Heart of Sept-Iles”, the consultation was launched by the local port authority responsible for operating the complex in Quebec (Canada). Over the next few years, one of the priorities will be restore access to the Saint Lawrence river for the local population. The consultation will last until 30 November, to give citizens maximum opportunity to submit their suggestions and ideas. The port is also working with intermediary bodies such as the ZIP Côte-Nord Committee and the tourism agency Destination Sept-Iles Nakauinanu. Based on the most popular views expressed by members of the public, the port authority will set aside funds for a variety of public interest projects.

Public and private sector stakeholders in the state of California (USA) have formed a consortium called ARCHES to promote decarbonisation projects with the Federal Government. Led by Mayor Karen Bass, the city of Los Angeles has spearheaded efforts to make the San Pedro port complex – which includes the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland – a future “clean hydrogen valley”. The green fuel can be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from electricity storage to fuel for trucks, port equipment (straddle carriers, gantry cranes, etc.) and public transportation (buses, trams, etc.). California has been awarded a total of $7 billion in federal funding grants, with $1.2 billion of that earmarked for port projects.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), one of the fastest-growing aquaculture sectors is seaweed farming. Annually, about 33 billion tons, valued at $11.8 billion, are produced. A study has found that Bangladesh, home to 220 seaweed species, could strengthen its blue economy through an enhanced production of seaweed if it implements proper guidelines and invests in post-harvest technologies. Long Island (USA) is planning to restore water quality and fish habitats and create jobs through the implementation of a seaweed cultivation program in Peconic Bay and Gardiners Bay. San Diego (USA) will be hosting the California Seaweed Festival in the Port Pavilion on the 4^th of November to educate locals on the various uses of seaweeds.  

The Distribution Committee of the Interport Compensation Fund took the decision at the start of October to allocate financial aid to 30 applications for a total of €11.1M. The projects are distributed over several Spanish ports, for example, seven of them will be supported by Bilbao PortLab, the innovation hub of the Port of Bilbao (Spain). The innovation projects approved to receive financial support propose solutions that include sustainable vessels, tools to improve operational safety and the early detection of pollution, energy saving, and more. Ports 4.0 have announced 2 new calls in its three modalities with a budget allocation of €18M for both calls.