The National Aquarium’s Harbor Wetland designed by Ayers Saint Gross and developed by Studio Gang aims to inform citizens while expanding the area of the natural habitat of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor (USA). Visitors will be able to discover 10,000 square foot (930m²) of over 32,000 native shrubs and marsh grasses. Recycling plastic matting for the roots to grow down into the water, air-regulated pontoons to adjust buoyancy and compressed air to imitate tide will help recreating a wetland habitat as it existed before urbanization. The public will be able to access for free during aquarium opening hours.

The impacts of extreme climate phenomena are being felt more and more acutely, especially by port cities and their infrastructures. High-tech solutions like “digital twins” can help us understand how water resources and infrastructures are affected, so that we can take steps to ensure we are better prepared in the future. Two river cities in particular have adopted standout solutions in this area: Bordeaux in France with its “Digital River Twins” programme, and Lillestrom in Norway. Thanks to some significant investment, these projects are enabling the cities concerned to gear up for the future, while also providing valuable opportunities to work hand in hand with local stakeholders.

The end of the summer and beginning of autumn weather marks the return of many typical festivals celebrating the maritime culture, the port atmosphere and the contacts with the rivers and the seas. In Le Havre (France), the City in cooperation with many actors including the Port Center celebrated the “Fête de la mer” on August 31^st and September 1^st with workshops, exhibitions and the rolling mini port (ships on wheels guided on circuit on the docks). On the same weekend, the Port of Oslo (Norway) celebrated its “Oslo havnelangs” or Open Day in the Port with a very rich program, including bus tours, boat visits, robot races, exhibitions and free access to a floating sauna! The following weekend (6-8 of September), will be turn of Rotterdam (The Netherlands) to host its 47^th edition of the World Port Days with excursions, shows on the water and the Mission H2 area, where participants can get inspired by all the new hydrogen-based technology being implemented in the port. On the 22^nd of September London (UK) will host the Thames Day, celebrating the World Rivers Day with live music and entertainment.

The Port of Amsterdam (Netherlands), TMA Logistics, and Emerio recently signed a deal to develop a shuttle train with services set to run almost daily between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Dubbed the “Dam2Dam Shuttle”, the project is part of plans to create a network of non-road logistics corridors criss-crossing the whole country.  Freight forwarders wanting to use the service can qualify for state grants aimed at promoting modal shift. There will be six shuttles a week running at fixed times, moving some 40,000 TEUs off the roads and onto rails.