The ‘Ecosysteme D’ project, based in Dunkirk (France), was designed by the architectural firm Snøhetta. The aim is to transform a port area into a cutting-edge hub for research and innovation in renewable energy. The building’s angular design allows it to capture prevailing winds directly, whilst the central courtyard harnesses natural light, thereby reducing the need for artificial lighting systems. The timber structure, clad in metal panels, is a low-impact construction with enhanced thermal performance. This energy-positive building forms part of a strategy for a greener port. Commissioned by the Dunkirk Urban Community, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and the Port authority, the Écosystème D building and its Innovation Park form a complex dedicated to the energy transition and the decarbonisation of industry.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Alfonso XIII Bridge and the creation of the Tablada Canal, inaugurated on 6 April 1926 by King Alfonso XIII, the Port Authority of Seville (Spain) has launched a rich program of free cultural events. As part of this, the “Puente Abierto (Open Bridge)” initiative offers 20-minute guided micro-tours every weekend from March to June. Alongside this, an outdoor exhibition of 16 panels featuring historical photographs and plans will be on display until 27 April. Finally, on 6 April, the exact date of the centenary, a new square was inaugurated on the original site of the bridge. These initiatives are taking place in the area that will become the Urban Port District.

What happens when a waterfront redevelopment project blocks the view of one of the world’s most iconic landmarks? Delays, at the very least. This was the case with San Francisco’s East Harbor waterfront park (USA), where initial plans met strong opposition from residents. The project required relocating boat slips, which would have obstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marina. After months of protests, the initial plans were scrapped in February 2024. A revised design, approved on April 16th 2026, now takes a different approach. The new plan includes the relocation of the boat slips and a fuel dock away from the marina, as well as a community dock, a widened shoreline and improvements to the Bay Trail.

Saint John (Canada) is reconnecting and animating its waterfront through a $500-million project. One of the key components of the project is Fundy Quay, a mixed-use development being constructed on a 2.4-hectare site formerly owned by the Canadian Coast Guard. Investments from developers, federal agency Port Saint John, the municipality and the province have already created a more pedestrian-friendly 2.5 km-long waterfront boardwalk. Residential buildings, an amphitheatre, restaurants, beaches and an extended Harbour Passage will surround Fundy Quay, and it will be linked to the Market Square and the main cruise ship terminals. This is another major waterfront redevelopment in Canada, including the $1-billion reimagination of the Toronto Port Lands and the $2.5-billion Quartier Molson project in Montreal.

In 2027, the Port of Singapore will permanently close the Keppel and Tanjong Pagar terminals, with operations being transferred to Tuas. The Urban Redevelopment Authority has formalised a development plan for 213 hectares of land to be reclaimed from the sea in the area. This project will take around ten years. It forms part of a wider urban regeneration scheme covering more than 1,000 hectares along the Greater Southern Waterfront. This redevelopment is scheduled to take 30 years and envisages integration into the surrounding urban areas with a significant mix of uses. To tackle the housing crisis, more than 10,000 new homes are planned for the Keppel district alone. The details of the developments are not yet known, but they form part of the master plan for the development of the whole of Singapore, due to be updated in 2025.

Maritime passenger transport is advancing decarbonization through innovations across ports and operators. In Marseille (France), an onshore power supply system inaugurated in April can serve three large cruise ships simultaneously, with a capacity of 108 MW. At Seatrade Cruise Global, Meyer Werft presented “Project Vision”, a concept for a fully battery-electric cruise ship exceeding 80,000 GT, with capacity for 1,856 passengers. At a smaller scale, Norway plans to deploy 20 electric “flying” ferries to improve low-emission coastal mobility. In Antwerp (Belgium), a fully electric tour boat for 49 passengers will operate on urban waterways. These developments illustrate how technological solutions are reshaping passenger transport while contributing to environmental objectives in port cities.