At the end of January, the Ports of Strasbourg, Eurométropole and the Grand Est region (France) signed a development agreement focusing on port and urban activities. The three key priorities identified are port-city relations, economic growth, and the energy and environmental transition. On the issue of port-city relations, the new deal will see the port officially recognised as an industrial zone, with a role in urban planning. Meanwhile, Eurométropole has also joined 40 towns and cities in committing to the development of a European urban policy that addresses issues including climate change.

The Biden administration has announced a moratorium to temporarily pause approvals for new LNG terminals. These infrastructures are built at ports to handle exports to Europe and Asia. The US Government has launched an audit in response to fears about methane leaks, and applications have been put on hold until it has been completed. The audit will assess the safety and environmental impacts of LNG extraction, transportation, and utilization. The decision will have repercussions for the global energy market. In the US, it is holding up port LNG projects like those in Port-Arthur (Texas) as well as in Calcasieu and Plaquemines (Lousiana).

The Port, the city, and community members of Los Angeles celebrated the opening of the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade (USA) on February 3^rd. The Wilmington waterfront addresses is the result of community involvement to gain space on the water. Located along Berths 183-186 at the Port of Los Angeles and adjacent to Banning’s Landing Community Center, the new open space includes three visitor experience areas: the promenade, the bluff, and the upland expanse. The spaces include a public pier with picnic tables, a play area, pedestrian, and bike trails, and landscaped green spaces. The venue was used as the site for the Port’s 10th Annual Lunar New Year Festival on the same day it was opened.

Cruise ships will be able to connect to the power grid in Le Havre (France) from 2025 thanks to onshore power supply. The project is part of a complete overhaul of the cruise terminal and its three quays, scheduled for completion in 2026. The connection to the public distribution network, which required the creation of 3 km of underground network, has been completed by Enedis. Work has now started to create a distribution substation. These works will allow for “zero-smoke” stopovers, thanks to a total power output of 30 MW and emissions of 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes of CO₂ will be avoided each year. The port of Le Havre intends to capitalise on this to attract cruise passengers in the coming years.

NatPower H in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has unveiled plans for the world’s first green hydrogen refueling infrastructure for recreational boating, to be developed in Italy. The project, set to see its first station installed by the summer of 2024, is worth 100 million euros, and will rely on wind, solar, and renewable energy sources to guarantee the green hydrogen production. With 100 refueling stations operational by 2030, it aims to eliminate 45,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually from Mediterranean boats. ZHA’s design, adaptable to diverse locations, prioritizes safety, scalability, and sustainability. The stations, constructed with 3D robotic material placement, feature fully recyclable, nature-inspired architecture, reducing structural materials by 50%. The initiative responds to the sector’s ambition to embrace green energy.