The Port Authority of the Eastern Ligurian Sea (Italy) has launched the first phase of construction for new mussel nurseries outside the breakwater, supporting the sector which is a vital economic and employment resource for the province. The project involves 84 rows, spaced 18 meters apart on a 300,000 square meter area. These nurseries will facilitate the movement of mussel crops, ensuring their safety during dredging works near the breakwater and preventing potential exposure to turbidity. The initiative, costing an estimated 1.6 million euros, is a collaboration between the Port Authority and the Associated Miticoltori Cooperative. The project will provide mussel farmers with a safer working environment and opportunities for redevelopment and expansion, enhancing product quality and increasing market supply.

Due to the ongoing attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, ships are choosing different routes out of precaution resulting in various impacts. Currently 95% of the usual traffic that transits the Suez Canal is being rerouted, which causes an extra 162,727 tons of emissions per day. The longer ships are delayed due to the longer routes to avoid the Suez and Panama Canals, the more likely cargo ships will pick up speed, causing emissions to increase drastically. Another effect of this geopolitical situation is visible in the transport of livestock, with the consequent increase in biohazards and suffering of the animals on these ships. One example is the livestock carrier was rerouted during its trip from Fremantle (Australia) to Aqaba (Jordan). It first diverted to South Africa before being recalled by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry due to biosecurity risks and the welfare of the livestock.

In a recent interview, Daan Schalck, CEO of North Sea Port, highlighted that the Dutch-Belgian port would focus on structurally developing its circular economy. Specifically, they would focus on investing in the hydrogen pipeline network. The cross-border port also expects its investment in De Nieuwe Sluis Terneuzen, which is set to be completed by the end of 2024, will increase its capacity and reduce waiting times. This along with the circa 500 hectares available for growth puts the port in an advantageous position to create a sustainable and circular economy. North Sea Port also expects that new jobs will appear in the port sector as the sustainable economy develops.  

The Port of Baie Comeau (Canada) is launching environmental and social impact studies and holding public information meetings about plans to redevelop Terminal 5. Underused and abandoned for years, the terminal is set to be modernised and extended to accommodate bigger vessels. The plan is focused on multimodal solutions and aims to improve the aesthetic appeal of the interface area between the terminal and the Carrefour-Maritime municipal building. Public consultations with local communities – in particular the First Nations concerned – are a central part of the project.

The port authority of Seville (Spain) is currently working with the company Todobarro to recycle the sediment extracted from dredging of the navigation channel of the Guadalquivir. The firm specialises in ceramic goods made using innovative, nature-based solutions. The circular economy is thriving locally, and trials are now under way to identify the optimal way to recycle this useful material. One possibility is to use the sediment to manufacture terracotta bricks and tiles. Though presently still at the prototype stage, the products could eventually be made on an industrial scale.