The body’s inaugural meeting was held on January 8th with the Inland Waterways Authority of India, ministers from the states concerned, and experts in the field. It aims to bring together different stakeholders in the sector to address issues in the development of inland waterways in India. Two key initiatives were unveiled at the meeting: Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels and a River Cruise Tourism Roadmap. Several MoUs (memoranda of understanding) were signed and ambitious targets adopted for inland waterway transportation. The creation of the Council is the latest move in a strategy introduced some months ago by the national and federal governments, aimed at expanding the use of inland waterways for transportation. Major infrastructure investments are already under way or have been completed across the country.

Between the Terrasses du Port shopping mall and the existing ferry terminal in Marseille (France), a new Port Center is set to open in the new Gare de la Major terminal. The site is still in use for a few days each month, but will be demolished and then rebuilt in 2026 as the new headquarters of the port authority, Grand Port Maritime de Marseille (GPMM). The Port Center will be located in a dedicated area of the GPMM HQ. In the meantime, it is hoped that the temporary installation will encourage the city’s residents to visit the site. The sailing competitions in the 2024 Olympics will take place in Marseille and the city is aiming to use the games as an opportunity to showcase its port and maritime identity.

Lisbon’s (Portugal) port administration and city council have signed a document on the 21^st of December 2023 which regulates the collection of a tourist tax from cruise passengers starting in January 2024. Passengers making a stopover in the city will be required to pay two euros if they wish to disembark, collected from operators through the Single Logistics Window, which manages all processes involving the calls of commercial ships. This tax will be used to catalyse initiatives to enhance their experience in the city whilst also minimizing negative impacts on the destination.

Porto Itapoá (Brazil) announced the launch of the Carbon Neutralization Project in cooperation with the Ambipar Group intending to offset carbon emissions from customers operating at the terminal. As part of this initiative, the port will be the first Brazilian port to enable its terminal customers to purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions. The credits will come from forest conservation and reforestation and are certified by Ambipar. Porto Itapoá hopes to affect the entire logistics chain in a positive manner. This step is in line with the port’s change in policy in 2023 to sign contracts with national suppliers for the supply of electricity solely from renewable sources.

Montreal’s port authority and municipality (Canada) are making active efforts to integrate port and maritime infrastructure in the urban environment with two key projects: the Vickers Overpass and Pier 34’s rehabilitation. The overpass, a sustainable initiative by the Port of Montreal, pays tribute to both port history and artist Guido Molinari. Its design aims to streamline freight traffic and minimize local trucking, featuring Molinari-inspired art, eco-friendly elements, and substantial government funding. The cost of the project totaled $47.8 million, for which the port authority received significant provincial and federal support. Pier 34’s renovation, funded via the 2021 participatory budget, entails structural enhancements and landscaping, overseen by landscape architects Vlan Paysages. The project aims to create a social space, promote ecological aspects, and incorporate fish designs in concrete, all while maintaining accessibility and avoiding disruptions, with an expected completion by October 2024.