The Port of Bilbao (Spain) has launched a tender for technical assistance to develop the “Getxo–Bilbao Integrated Vision 2030” Master Plan. The project covers the Getxo marina, Arriluze area, and the cruise terminal, aiming to improve urban integration, mobility, and environmental quality. It will also assess the feasibility of a hotel facility, based on landscape integration, sustainability, architectural quality, and a maximum height of 16 metres. Sustainability is central, supported by the Bilbao OPS shore power system, which will allow cruise ships to connect to land-based electricity by 2027, reducing emissions by 85% to 95%. The plan seeks to guide long-term, coordinated port–city development.

At an international level, the protection of marine biodiversity in port areas is being strengthened through concrete and sustainable initiatives. In Mahón (Spain), the port authority is expanding the mapping of habitats and local species, involving citizens and professionals to guide port development while safeguarding ecosystems. In Vigo (Spain), the HIPPO REF project plans the installation of biodegradable artificial reefs to provide refuge for seahorses, a vulnerable flagship species, and to create new microhabitats. Meanwhile, in San Diego (USA), a grant of nearly $200,000 will support the renewed local emergency measures to control invasive species threatening seagrass beds, which are key habitats for marine wildlife.

Taiwan has drawn up a nationwide plan to channel construction waste to ports, land-based sites, and the sea after the government warned that existing legal disposal capacity could be exhausted within two to three years if development continues at its current pace. This is in line with the 2025 “Final Disposal Planning Scheme for Surplus Construction Soil and Rock”. Future port reclamation projects will be required to allocate at least 50% of their capacity to construction waste, replacing traditional sand dredging. For offshore disposal, the government assessed environmental sensitivity data to identify potential land reclamation locations in Taiwan’s seas. Part of the scheme includes limiting waste at source through better on-site sorting, material exchanges between public work projects and increased reuse of construction resources before sending residual material to final disposal.

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (USA/Canada) announced that it has been awarded $1.28 million to advance engineering and design for three shoreline restoration and public resilience projects in Michigan and Minnesota (USA). These projects will restore more than 16 acres (64750 m2) of habitat, protect vulnerable infrastructure, and enhance public access to waterfronts. The initiative will engage more than 35 local and regional leaders and mobilise local volunteers for native planting and stewardship efforts during implementation. Also, the American Great Lakes Ports Association, which includes the ports of Indiana, the Illinois International Port District, and the Port of Milwaukee, will launch a market analysis aimed at developing freight transportation between the Great Lakes and the inland waterway system.

The city of Oslo (Norway) has given Hav Eiendom permission to buy and develop the waterfront plots at Filipstad. The area, which amounts to 271500 m2, will be developed into a new sub-district with new meeting places, a harbour promenade and urban spaces by the fjord that the whole of Oslo will enjoy. The first construction phase consists of Hans Jæger’s quarter and fields B4 and B5 (Kaffetårnet), which will have about 1050 homes and 4000 jobs and will be the key urban part of the redevelopment. Filipstad Infrastructure has been established as a municipal agency with responsibility for planning and development. This scenario, in which Hav Eiendom buys the plots, is expected to generate the most revenue for the city and directly impacted society, according to a 2022 study. 

Start-up Denv-R has announced that its floating data centre project, cooled by the water temperature and movement of the river, will be commercialised. Following the success of tests on its demonstrator located in the river city of Nantes (France), the company has announced the development of its commercial offering. The solution does not pump water and promises to halve energy consumption. With one of the major challenges of digital technology being electricity consumption, this solution aims to enable more sustainable development. It also aims to make use of underutilised riverfront land and offer an adaptable and easily installable tool. The company promises to create local jobs and is looking to expand nationally.