The port of Valparaíso (Chile) has launched a public hearing on its Strategic Plan for the Coastal Zone, inviting residents to share their perspectives between July 21 and August 17. The initiative is being carried out jointly by the port authority, regional authorities, and the municipality. Residents are invited to express their views on five waterfront development projects focused on enhancing public spaces, accessibility, and connections with the urban fabric. The hearing, available online and in person, allows residents to play an active role in developing a sustainable strategic plan for harmonious and coherent development.

Barcelona (Spain) and Cannes (France) are taking significant steps to make cruise tourism more sustainable. In Barcelona, the City Council and Port Authority have signed an agreement to reduce the number of cruise terminals to five by 2027, all located on the Adossat Wharf. The plan includes major investments to improve the environmental performance of terminals and develop specific mobility solutions to enhance connectivity with the city while reducing congestion and emissions. In Cannes, the City Council has decided to limit access for cruise ships carrying over 3,000 passengers, allowing only one such vessel per day from 2026. The measure aims to preserve air quality, limit overcrowding, and protect the coastal environment, aligning with similar efforts in other Riviera ports such as Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Several Spanish port authorities are making progress with their integration into the city. The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has undertaken two initiatives: urban integration work on Avenida Santa Eulària and renovation of access to the Botafoc quays. Active mobility and landscape integration are helping to improve the entrance to the site. Cartagena (Spain) has also undertaken the renovation of the Santa Lucía waterfront. The president of the port authority spoke of a planned investment of €7.5 million and an 18-month completion period to create a large, seafront public space. The Algeciras Port Authority is moving ahead with its urban maritime lake project in Llano Amarillo and launching the third phase of the project.

US lawmakers reintroduced the Clean Shipping Act of 2025, which aims to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to establish progressively stricter carbon intensity stipulations for fuels used by vessels. The intention is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and to eliminate in-port ship emissions by 2035. The introduced International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act further considers the “polluter pays” principle and would address pollution from large cargo ships and oil tankers by charging a fee of $150 per ton emitted for greenhouse gases and other hazardous air pollutants emitted by these ships that are heading for the US.  Revenue from the collected fees would be used to support cleaner ships and port equipment.

The Building with Nature program was implemented in Demak (Indonesia) to address land subsidence, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion along the northern coast. These issues were worsened by mangrove deforestation, which was replaced by industrial aquaculture. The program introduced permeable sea structures to support natural sedimentation and mangrove restoration. It involved a consortium of Indonesian stakeholders, including ministries, local governments, universities, schools, and NGOs, in partnership with Dutch institutions like IHE Delft and TU Delft, funded by the Sustainable Water Fund. The mangrove reforestation has significantly benefited local communities; fishermen have seen their incomes triple. Community groups now help sustain these efforts, while schools raise awareness among children, ensuring long-term support for coastal resilience and environmental education.

Earlier this month, the Kenya Ports Authority unveiled the new Shimoni Fishing Port. The project was completed at a cost of KSh 2.6 billion (~$18 million). The facility includes a new jetty and berths capable of docking two vessels simultaneously. The site also features a fish processing plant and a modern wastewater management system. The new port is expected to contribute to the development of Kwale County. Located near the Mombasa Seaport, the facility is expected to boost connections to international markets and drive growth in the regional blue economy.