Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs has announced its intention to grow its blue economy to generate $100 billion annually by 2047. The plan includes commissioning fifteen additional ships for the national fleet by 2026 and granting the first private ferry operator license, opening sea routes for passenger movement and coastal trade. Furthermore, the first green ship repair and recycling yard has been initiated at Port Qasim, and the Gadani Ship Breaking Yard will be upgraded. The National Fisheries Policy 2025-35 will focus on advancements in deep-sea fishing, exports, and the implementation of modern facilities. A Maritime Education Endowment Fund has been created, and the Pakistan Marine Academy will become a Maritime University to train seafarers and ocean science specialists.

In Rennes (France), the city council is demolishing a downtown parking garage built over the Vilaine River. The aim of the project, whose debris is removed by barge, is to restore access to the riverbanks, thus reconnecting the city to its river. This project reflects a broader trend in which cities are uncovering waterways once covered by urban development. Restoring a river creates calmer public spaces, helps regulate temperature, and promotes biodiversity. Similar projects include Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon in South Korea and Paris’s Bièvre River. With them, the excavation of the Vilaine river paves the way for a climate-resilient, people-centred city.

In November 2025, the European Commission adopted the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP), a roadmap to support the energy transition in aviation and waterborne transport. The plan aims to boost investments and production of renewable and low-carbon fuels to meet ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime requirements. With the 2026 review of both regulations approaching, the EU estimates €100 billion in investments by 2035 to achieve its fuel production target. For this, the plan mobilises, among others, €2 billion via InvestEU, €300 million from the European Hydrogen Bank, €293 million from the Innovation Fund, and €133.5 million through Horizon Europe.

The Norwegian-based firm Snøhetta was selected in early November in an architectural competition to design the Qiantang Bay Art Museum in Hangzhou, China. The project, covering more than 18,000 m², will include large outdoor public spaces and will be part of the urban project to extend the city’s developing cultural district towards the Qiantang River and the waterway that runs through the city. Inspired by the aquatic environment, the museum’s design will feature fluid curves, with blurred boundaries between interior and exterior, as well as between the natural and built environments. It will be connected to the city’s metro network.

The Grand Port Maritime of Bordeaux (France) and the innovation hub Bordeaux Technowest have inaugurated “Bordeaux Technoports”, a new incubator dedicated to advancing maritime and port-related technologies. Set within 400 square metres of meticulously restored historic buildings in the Bacalan district, this facility is designed to cultivate an ecosystem conducive to accelerating start-ups engaged in decarbonisation, digital transformation and industrial performance. The 8 resident companies will develop tangible solutions ranging from high precision industrial sensing to marine bio monitoring and next generation sustainable vessels. Supported by the combined expertise of Technowest and the GPMB, Bordeaux Technoports aspires to emerge as a driving force shaping the port of the future.

As part of the redevelopment of port areas, the ports of Cork (Ireland) and Bellingham (USA) are implementing ambitious projects to revitalize their waterfronts. In Cork, the program notably includes the creation of a 700-meter riverside promenade and a 6,000 m² park dedicated to activities. The reorganisation of part of the traffic flow is also planned to improve accessibility and the overall legibility of the waterfront. In Bellingham, the transformation of Fairhaven’s waterfront involves three projects: upgrading the industrial park, constructing an accessible pier for citizens, and cleaning up an area near the cruise terminal, while simultaneously developing port and tourism activities.