Belgium is to deploy a NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) air defense system around the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, with initial operational capability expected in 2027. The port will be equipped with batteries capable of intercepting aircraft, missiles, and short- to medium-range drones, as part of a joint procurement program with the Netherlands valued at approximately €2.5 billion. In addition, a dedicated counter-drone system will be installed to cover two-thirds of the port area, following multiple drone incursions reported in recent months near critical infrastructure.

The Sustainable Communities project was created by Portos do Paraná (Brazil), in partnership with the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), to set up a water sanitation system on Eufrasina Island, in Paranagua Bay. The system uses filter gardens that promote natural wastewater treatment. Previously, the island’s geological configuration did not allow for the installation of conventional networks. Now, residents can enjoy high-quality drinking water, which has improved fishing and reduced odour pollution.

The Norwegian research centre SINTEF is investigating floating structures to support the evolution of ports. With the growth of offshore wind projects, adaptable infrastructures such as floating quays are namely becoming increasingly relevant. To assess the hydrodynamic impacts of their articulated design, SINTEF conducts simulations using models in Trondheim (Norway). In the future, floating docks could serve as emergency-response assets, with temporary floating infrastructure helping to restore connectivity. The modules are easy to deploy and allow ports to quickly expand capacity without major construction work, thereby reducing environmental impact. In this sense, permanent floating ports could also offer a long-term solution for densely populated port cities.

The Government of the Balearic Islands and Palma City Council (Spain) have renewed their agreement with major cruise lines to regulate cruise activity between 2027 and 2031. The updated framework maintains a maximum of three cruise ships per day in the port, only one of which may exceed 5,000 passengers, and preserves limits on daily calls. It also reduces the average daily passenger cap in high season from 8,500 to 7,500. Environmental rules have been tightened, prioritizing cleaner vessels and better monitoring. The inclusion of the City Council as a signatory aims to better coordinate port–city interactions, manage impacts on the historic centre, and support off-peak season diversification while safeguarding local quality of life and the environment.

The city of Paris (France) has historically owned the Ourcq and Saint-Denis canals, totalling over 130 km of canals. The first master plan for the canals has just been signed, to improve the planning and management of these spaces and open the management of the large-gauge river network to the territories it crosses. The plan was developed by the Atelier Parisien d’Urbanisme (APUR) in partnership with the City of Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis, and three public territorial institutions in Greater Paris. The various local authorities designed the canal development strategy to support the energy transition. Importance was given to developing the use of waterways and their banks so that they could become green and blue corridors. It includes that a cycle network should always run alongside the waterways, even where the quays are shared with industrial facilities.