Auckland (New Zealand) faces regular flooding in its Eastern CBD and Stanley Street areas. This flooding threatens key infrastructure assets, including the Ports of Auckland. Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters, McConnell Dowell, and GHD used a unique underground tunnelling technique, combined with what’s called an “inverted siphon”, to build a new stormwater outfall without disturbing the active train lines, historic sea walls, and port environment above ground. This system runs below Quay Street and through the Ports area, using twin pipes that carry stormwater into the Waitematā Harbour. The new outfall significantly reduces the risk of flooding downtown, making the city more resilient as extreme weather becomes more common. The Ports of Auckland Outfall project was awarded at the Stormwater Conference.

As the European Maritime Day approaches, Spanish ports welcome visitors all over their docks. On May 17, the Port of Barcelona held its second open day, featuring boat tours, theatrical visits, a vehicle exhibition, and the 10th edition of the “RAC1” race on the port grounds. In the Balearic Islands, the Port of Mahon will host “Vieu el Port” (Live the Port) on June 7, 2025, with over 50 free activities. Meanwhile, Spain’s largest port, Algeciras, is launching “Know Your Port” from May 19 to 30 and again from June 2 to 6, with nearly 2,250 available spots for boats tours of its harbour, bringing the public to discover the heart of port operations.

On International Women in Maritime Day, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and WISTA International published the results of their survey on the situation of women in the industry. Women represent 19% of employees worldwide but only 1% of seafarers. According to the survey, 30% describe gender discrimination as a major obstacle to their career. However, there are various initiatives around the world to try to overcome these obstacles. The Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has announced a program called Sagar Mein Samman to improve women’s participation in the industry. At Solent University in Southampton (UK), an initiative aims to bring together female students wishing to join the sector by promoting sisterhood to support their studies and early careers. Finally, CMA CGM has seen a 60% increase in women in its seafaring workforce in six months following the “She Sails” program.

The Singapore Ministry of Sustainability and Environment is currently highlighting maritime sustainability through the Go Green SG 2025 movement. As part of this initiative, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) organizes guided tours of the maritime ports on mainland Singapore and the Southern Islands. They also offer the MPA Sea Exploration Tour, which showcases Singapore’s efforts in maritime sustainability and decarbonization. These activities highlight the port authority’s commitment to balancing active port operations, as the world’s second-busiest container port, and the preservation of hospitable waters that are crucial for marine and coastal wildlife. Among the 400 participating partners, some also host marine-related activities, such as visits to the Sembcorp Tengeh Floating Solar Farm and mushroom cultivation workshops.

The river city of Alexandria (USA) is launching a major project to reduce flood risks with the strategic installation of a drainage system. Large pipes will be laid under several streets in the city center, and a pumping station is planned for the waterfront park. These facilities should enable rainwater to be channeled away from vulnerable areas. The project is part of a broader strategy led by the city to strengthen its resilience to the effects of climate change. Although partial closures of the park are planned over two years, the municipality emphasizes the importance of preparing for future crises. It also invites residents to get actively involved in public consultations and civic initiatives related to climate risk management.

In the fishing port of Almeria (Spain), a circular economy project is transforming the plastic that pollutes the seas into biodiesel for fishing boats. The process starts with fishermen collecting plastic waste as they go out to sea. The pyrolysis process then transforms the plastic into clean, usable biodiesel. This initiative is a model of sustainability and local initiative, supported by the European Union’s LIFE Dream programme. The project involves the Almeria Fishing Producers’ Organisation (OPP), the Almeria Port Authority, and the Almeria-Galatea Association of Women Fishermen (AndMuPes). This association was set up to promote the important role played by women in this industry, where they work as fishermen, shipowners, and sailors.