Amsterdam municipal council (Netherlands) has adopted a plan to gradually cut the number of cruise ships calling at the port, reducing the previous limit of 190 per year to just 100 from 2026 onwards. By 2027, all vessels will also be required to use shore power when docked at the port. The eventual aim is to remove the existing cruise terminal in the city centre by 2035, with ships switching to the port of Rotterdam, where their passengers can connect to other modes of transportation. Plans to relocate to a new terminal in nearby Coenhaven are also on the table. The measures are intended to manage the influx of tourists visiting the city, and to improve quality of life for Amsterdam residents.

The Port of San Diego (USA) has unveiled planned improvements to Pepper Park, on the National City Bayfront. Upgrades will include a new splash pad (the first of its kind in the bay), a pirate-themed playground, and picnic areas.  Meanwhile, the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal is set to receive a 5 million dollar grant from the US Department of Transportation, with the money earmarked for air pollution-cutting measures at the port. Improvements will also be made to rail links (to increase load capacity), seismic defences, and rainwater management systems. The port has been awarded Green Marine recertification this year.

The Danube bridge has seen heavy traffic since the ferry route between Roussé (Bulgaria) and Giurgui (Romania) closed in 2005. An estimated 3,000 vehicles a day cross the bridge, causing frequent congestion, especially on the Roussé side in the summer. Emergency bridge repairs in recent weeks have exacerbated traffic conditions even further, leading Bulgarian authorities to step up calls for the ferry service to be restored. As a result, a route will be opened again soon, possibly as early as this summer, carrying a minimum of 200 heavy vehicles in each direction daily and cutting traffic levels on the bridge by between 12 and 15%. 

The University of Portsmouth organized last weekend a series of marine biodiversity workshops across the Isle of Wight (UK). Around fifty events were held to celebrate the island being awarded UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, recognising the ecological and cultural importance of its landscapes and surrounding natural habitats. The University’s research team were on board the ferries running between Portsmouth and the island, to bring environmental lessons to tourists and families. In partnership with the Revolution Plastics Institute, the experience was an opportunity to highlight the dangers posed by plastic pollution to ecosystems.

After years of work, the city of Port St. Lucie (USA) has officially opened its new waterfront complex. In addition to an extended boardwalk that runs between several city parks, a variety of new attractions have been created. A restaurant is due to open in the coming months, but already completed are a historic village, playground, and a kayak and canoe launch. The nearby residential area also received funding to renovate frontages and showcase local built heritage while improving the natural environment. The strategic plan was developed in 2021 through a process of public engagement designed to address the needs of the local community, and includes an emphasis on opening up the riverfront areas and enhancing quality of life for residents.