The strong winds and high water levels brought by Hurricane Beryl caused severe disruption to operations at Texan ports (USA). Some ports were well prepared, closing only as a precautionary measure and quickly able to restore normal services within a few days, while others were still to re-open more than a week later. At the same time, in South Africa, storms disrupted shipping in the region. The Cape of Good Hope was impassable for several days, and a number of ships ran aground on the coast. These events serve as a reminder of the importance of ensuring port infrastructures are properly prepared and resilient to extreme climate phenomena.  The issue is central to the European SAFARI project, in which the AIVP and several of its members are involved.

The Bay of Algeciras port authority, the Andalucia region and the University of Cadiz (Spain) have joined forces to carry out a study looking at biodiversity in port environments. The project will see six artificial coral reefs fitted with sensors installed in the waters of the port of Tarifa. The installations will allow scientists to study the different species found in the water, enabling them to detect the arrival of any invasive species and take rapid action to address the problem. More reefs will be installed at other ports in the region to complete the experiment in the coming months.

The Port Authority of the Balearics (Spain) has signed a deal with construction group UTE Port Maó to build the Cós Nou terminal. The new cruise terminal is designed to bridge the gap between the quays’ historic function and the requirements of a modern city-port interface. Rebuilding on the site of the existing temporary terminal will enhance passenger safety and help integrate cruise activities more seamlessly with the city.

A similar approach has been adopted in Venice (Italy), where the port authority has acquired land in Porto Marghera with plans to build modern new cruise terminals on the site, equipped with shore-to-ship power infrastructures. These projects come in the wake of a law passed in 2022 imposing a new model for the cruise industry.

On 26 July 2024, the Seine will be the outdoor stage for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics (France). The move is part of a wider plan designed to leverage the river to minimise the Games’ carbon footprint while promoting the different ways it is used. The materials needed to build the Olympic facilities were brought in via the river, while the Athletes’ Village is powered by a floating solar plant that can be dismantled and reused elsewhere. These initiatives, along with efforts to clean up both the Seine and the Marne, making them safe for public bathing by 2025, are aimed at ensuring the waterway’s continued use well into the future.

The Port of Lisbon has partnered with city hall and Lisbon Tourist Association to sign a contract for the creation of a new Almada Mural Interpretive Centre at several passenger terminals. The project is part of a wider policy aimed at restoring and reusing Portugal’s cultural and built heritage. Two terminals will be opened to the public, displaying a total of 14 works by Almada Negreiros, the leading figure of the Portuguese modern art movement. While the sites themselves will open in 2024 and early 2025, they can already be explored with an online tour. The initiative is set to be featured at the AIVP’s 2024 world conference in Lisbon.

The Port of Montreal (Canada) officially opened its new Bickerdike promenade at the end of June. It stretches for 900 meters along the Cité du Havre port facilities and commands panoramic views of the terminal from which it takes its name. The development aims to open up the port to the public and build on existing efforts to integrate the city and port visually. In addition to a new pedestrian area, it includes view points, greenery, information about the port’s history and activities, and a bike repair station. The project was made possible thanks to a grant of 2.5 million dollars from a major 10 million dollar investment plan designed to improve the city-port interface, and is fully in line with the Agenda 2030 by AIVP, which the Port of Montreal has endorsed.