The port of Valencia (Spain) has just released the results concerning their effors to improve waster valorization. In 2023, the 32 participating port companies in the Ecoport II group voluntarily formulated nine environmental objectives, one of which being waste valorization. The companies involved in this environmental programme increased waste recovery by 75% with a total of 2,025,434 kg converted into useful material (either energy or new raw material). The Port Authority of Valencia, which aims at being a 100% green port, has worked on its own environmental actions and has strongly encouraged its port community to collaborate on these issues as well. The objectives achieved also include a reduction in fuel, energy, and water consumption and training and awareness-raising for workers.

The government of Thailand is considering the relocation of the Bangkok port, which is situated on the Chao Phraya River in the Kloeng Toey district. The port handled 1.2m TEU of import/export containers in 2023 while other private wharves on the river handled a further 500 thousand TEU. The Port is an important asset for the city and therefore the consideration is to relocate the port only in part. However, with air pollutions levels reaching 15 times the World Health Organisation’s recommended level in February, the government deems it important for the benefit of the public. The relocation shall help solve the dust pollution created by freight trucks, which is also linked to health and life quality of the citizens, and the vacated area is planned to be transformed into a green space and waterfront.

Ports across Europe are investing in improved rail connections, in response to the commitments adopted under the EU’s New Green Deal. The body responsible for running Portugal’s rail infrastructure recently invited bids for a contract to modernize the rail line between the Port of Setubal and Praias de Sado. The planned work includes electrifying the main line and creating new branch lines. In Marseille (France), preliminary surveys for the planned rail link to the port are moving forward, while the port of Brussels (Belgium) has begun construction of a new rail line due to be completed in June. The port authority has also appointed an expert to help local businesses with the process of switching to this mode of transportation.

The Federal Highway Administration has announced it will provide a grant enabling the port authority of New Orleans (USA) to buy a fleet of electric trucks and install charging stations. Seven vehicles are due to enter service shortly. Ensuring smoother traffic on roads between the port terminals is key to reducing congestion, cutting carbon emissions, and generating jobs. Local training and education partners will also receive a $200,000 grant to create pathways to careers in the port and green logistics sectors.

The port authorities of Singapore and Los Angeles – Long Beach have published a new study in partnership with C40, setting out their objectives for the “green corridor” they are planning to create between them. The first target concerns marine propulsion, and aims to generate demand for 850,000 tonnes of methanol and 160,000 tonnes of ammonia by 2030. In terms of employment, the corridor is expected to create around 700 new jobs in the alternative fuels industry. Two other corridors are also in the pipeline. The Canada-Japan-South Korea corridor will focus on conventional low-carbon fuels, with companies in the rail and steel industries among the first customers. Meanwhile, the ferry company that operators the route between Ceuta and Algeciras is accelerating its move to electric vessels and shore power, and claims to be leading the drive towards greener passenger transport.