The Port of Barcelona (Spain) has granted ferry operator Baleària a 27-year concession to build and operate a new passenger and ro-ro terminal at Muelle Adossat. The facility will cover 75,000 m², include four simultaneous berths, new public spaces, shore power (OPS) connections and new public spaces, at a construction cost of €25.3M. A first phase is due to open in February 2027. The concession aligns with the port’s newly published 5th Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which identifies infrastructure, connectivity and energy as priorities. The plan sets out 120 initiatives targeting a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with climate neutrality expected by 2050. Barcelona thus pursues a long-term investment cycle in both capacity and decarbonization.

The Port of Galveston (USA) has secured its third consecutive Landmark Award with its Cruise Terminal 16, a $156 million conversion of a former banana warehouse into a 15,000-square-meter cruise facility. Reusing 85% of the original structure, the project links maritime growth with urban renewal. Handling up to 17,000 passengers and crew on cruise days, the terminal embodies Galveston’s port heritage preservation. The new building follows the award-winning developments of Terminal 25 & 10 back in 2024, a LEED Zero Energy project.

The city of Ajaccio (France) approved on 23 April the 2026 preliminary budget for the Charles-Ornano marina under its authority, amounting to €6M, of which €945,000 allocated to investment. The operating surplus of €1.40M was transferred to the local authority’s main budget. Beyond the financial figures, it is the future of the management model that represents the real challenge. The 50-year concession linking the city to the Collectivité de Corse, owner of the infrastructure, expired in October 2024. A 14-month extension, running until 31 December 2026, opens a negotiation window to define a new legal framework, with an orientation towards a Public Local Company (SPL). The outcome of this process will determine the port’s operating conditions for decades to come.

Ports are increasingly keen to showcase their activities to the public. This sometimes takes the form of cultural events, such as in Busan (South Korea), where the Joseon Tongsinga Festival celebrates the port’s 150th anniversary. In Singapore, the Nautique HeritageFest has been established to highlight the country’s maritime history. In Saint-Nazaire (France), cruises on the Loire Estuary are offered to families, whilst a film festival is dedicated to “Port Areas”. In the same vein, HAROPA PORT (France) has opened its sites in Le Havre, Rouen and Paris to help people better understand the port and the issues it faces.

To make it easier for cyclists to access Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge (Australia), a new access ramp has been built, helping to showcase the local cultural and industrial heritage. Cyclists no longer have to dismount and climb the 55 steps leading to the pedestrian section of the bridge. The design references the bridge built in 1932 as well as the nearby Sydney Opera House, thanks to its rust-effect metal finish. The ramp also draws inspiration from the architectural culture of Australia’s Indigenous peoples, featuring a motif of eels migrating between fresh and salt water. A tribute intended to promote an inclusive public space. The ramp was designed by the firms Aspect Studios and Collins and Turner.

AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles (USA) and the USC Sea Grant Program have launched a partnership aimed at promoting innovation, workforce development, and community engagement. Utilizing AltaSea’s 35-acre campus and USC Sea Grant’s expertise in coastal research, the collaboration focuses on advancing the blue economy and creating skilled ocean workforce training programs. Over the next three years, the partnership will enhance maritime stakeholder relationships, develop workforce opportunities in port and marine transportation, and create strategies for adapting to climate change and emerging technologies. Together, they will produce resources that translate research and policy into practical guidance for industry leaders, public officials, and community members.