The main objectives are to accelerate the digital transition and enhance the sustainability and efficiency of port operations. Through optimised data utilisation, the “Smart Port Lx” programme will accelerate the implementation of technological solutions that will strengthen analytical and decision-making capabilities, particularly in the management of city-port relations. In practical terms, the project will involve the creation of an integrated surveillance and detection system, as well as the development of a smart port management platform. The investment also includes the modernisation of communication and security systems, thereby contributing to greater operational resilience. The project is scheduled for completion by 2030.

The Port Authority of Valencia (Spain) launched on March 24, 2026, a strategic plan to adapt the ports of Valencia, Sagunto and Gandía to the impacts of climate change. This initiative is part of the “net zero emissions” programm, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. Specifically, the APV seeks to transform these infrastructures into eco-friendly ports capable of withstanding extreme events such as sea level rise, heavy rainfall, heatwaves and rough sea conditions. The plan will be implemented over a 14-month period with a budget of €181,229. In parallel, major investments are planned, including two new electrical substations (2026–2028), shore-side electricity supply (OPS) for vessels, and the deployment of an intelligent energy management system based on digital twins starting in 2027.

Chilean port authorities are reinforcing local engagement and community development through competitive funding. The Port of Valparaíso (Chile) recently opened applications for the fifth edition of its contestable funds, inviting neighborhoods, organizations and civil society to propose projects that enhance social, cultural, environmental and port–city integration outcomes. In San Antonio (Chile), past funding rounds have yielded tangible results: improvements led by the Holand neighborhood association, support for the Mujeres Tejedoras de Las Aranitas weavers’ collective in Placilla, and over 67 community organizations receiving resources to implement local initiatives. These funded activities range from public space enhancements to cultural and craft promotion, demonstrating how port investment mechanisms can support urban resilience, local identity, social cohesion and inclusive development alongside port operations.

The International Organization for Standardization has published ISO 6319, a new global standard for conducting and documenting in-water cleaning of biofouling on ships. Biofouling, the accumulation of organisms on hulls, facilitates the spread of non-indigenous species and increases fuel consumption and emissions. By providing clear requirements for how underwater cleaning should be carried out, recorded and verified, ISO 6319 supports environmentally sound practices, reduces unintended ecological impacts, and improves transparency. Ports and waterfront communities can adopt certified procedures that minimize pollutant release, protect local biodiversity, and enhance water quality along urban shorelines.

Unveiled in January, the Port of Bayonne’s 2025–2030 strategic plan marks the start of a new 40-year concession granted by the New-Aquitaine Region (France) to the Port of Bayonne Port Authority Company. The document is structured around three main priorities: decarbonising logistics and port-related industries along the Adour estuary, increasing the port’s added value and economic impact, and strengthening its integration with the local area. It sets out 30 actions that will guide the port authority in the coming years. The roadmap also details the assets, levers, and challenges underpinning each strategic direction.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced that it will be providing $488.6 million in funding grants under the Port Infrastructure Development Program. The aim is to revitalise ports with the latest technology and infrastructure, with a focus on innovative technology and projects that support national multimodal freight goals. California’s (USA) governor has announced funding for coastal communities to develop consistent Sea Level Rise adaptation plans and projects to build resilience along the State’s coast and San Francisco Bay. The Port Authority of NSW (Australia) has launched its Community Grants Program for 2026, allowing projects that strengthen community connections, promote sustainability or enhance the well-being of people living and working around Port Authority’s six ports to apply.