Faced with repeated water shortages and reduced shipping traffic, the Panama Canal is forced to find solutions to preserve its business model. Sustainable management of water resources is a priority, not just for the canal authorities but for the Panamanian government. The canal’s Board of Directors has asked for State approval to build new reservoirs, including on a basin adjoining the Rio Indio. The challenge, though, is to allow ships to pass through without creating negative externalities for the local population. Changes are also being made to the toll system, to better reflect the true costs of the service and generate more revenue from each crossing. Discussions have begun on ways to diversify the organisation’s funding streams by branching into different activities. Meanwhile, a sustainable development officer has been appointed to oversee these transitions for the canal authority, and meet the target of zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Efforts are on track to cut carbon emissions from cross-Channel ferry services to zero. A memorandum of understanding was signed in 2023 between Calais, Boulogne (France), and Dover (UK) with the target of carbon neutrality by 2030. The plan is for the 40 kilometre crossing to eventually be made by electric or hybrid vessels. The two main ferry operators, P&O et DFDS, are both looking into the possibility of using these propulsion technologies in their ferries. To supply the required electricity, ports will need to install significant facilities to make way for the shore power infrastructure used to recharge ferries’ batteries. The challenges are considerable, particularly to ensure that turnaround times do not have to be extended. All these efforts involve close cooperation between port authorities and private enterprise, as the technologies used need to be adapted between the two infrastructure types (on the ship and on the dock).

During the IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee (SDC 10) meeting in London (UK), from the 22^nd until the 26^th of January, a new reference chart was developed with the aim to aid the implementation of the guidelines for the reduction of underwater noise from shipping. Underwater noise from shipping can have major ramifications on marine life. Port of Vancouver (Canada), AIVP member and leader of the ECHO initiative, released its newest Underwater Noise Management Plan in December 2023, highlighting the importance of mitigating these impacts for the port authority. The AIVP member the port authority of Algeciras (Spain) is also launching a pilot project to evaluate the impact of underwater noise on cetacean populations in its bay.    

Almost 40 years after it was closed, Govan Graving Docks in the Scottish city of Glasgow (United Kingdom), will be the object of an ambitious urban waterfront regeneration plan. The municipality has granted the historical drydock approval to be reopened and operate as historical ship repair facility. This infrastructure will be at the heart of the new development that will also create more than 300 new homes, a heritage park, community green spaces, new cultural attractions in the ancient pumphouse, walkways and potentially even docking spaces for floating homes. The overall investment is estimated at £125 million and construction is scheduled to start in 2025, pending on Glasgow’s City Council plan approval.

The US federal government has earmarked substantial funds to push forward plans to build a new offshore wind terminal in Humboldt Bay. The second largest natural bay in the State of California is already home to various commercial operations, including wood imports. Thanks to a USD 426 million subsidy, the project is now set to go ahead in 2025, with the new terminal entering service in 2029. The infrastructure will play a key role in the development of offshore wind as the State of California is targeting 25 GW of installed capacity by 2045. The terminal will also be crucial to the future of neighboring communities – the county has a population of just 130,000 (15 people per km²).