Antwerp (Belgium) city council has approved the preliminary draft of the “Innovatieve Stadshaven” spatial implementation plan, aimed at transforming the Eilandje, a fragmented area on the border between city and port, into an innovative business park. The project focuses on innovation, circular economy and waterway-linked logistics, while improving cycling and nautical connectivity in the area. Space is also planned for training, urban farming and limited cultural and recreational functions. A public consultation is scheduled for autumn, with final approval expected in spring 2027.

The Chilean port of San Antonio is rolling out a new logistics model to optimise its operations and address its main constraints. Key initiatives include a truck flow regulator, the Port Community System (PCS), an intermodal rail terminal and a port control centre developed in partnership with the Chilean Navy. Full deployment is scheduled for August-September, with the PCS alone expected to improve efficiency by 20%. The port is also working to strengthen its resilience against extreme marine weather conditions by raising the wave height limit from 2 to 2.5 metres. The goal is to reach a capacity of 2.5 million TEUs in the container segment.

The Flandres-Dunkirk Urban Planning Agency (AGUR) has just updated its booklet, which traces the history of the relationship between the city and the port of Dunkirk (France). The first edition covered the period 1945–2020, and this update now includes the last five years. It traces the evolution of the relationship between the city and the port, from the reconstruction following the destruction of the Second World War to the current challenges of decarbonisation and reindustrialisation. In 2026, the port as we know it today will celebrate its 60th anniversary.

Transnet, South Africa’s national transport and logistics agency, has just signed a loan agreement with the French Development Agency (AFD) for $300 million. This loan is intended to support Transnet’s “freight decarbonisation and sustainable development programme”. It forms part of the national Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) investment strategy. Transnet aims, in particular, to modernise its port and rail infrastructure and to improve the quality of its operations. This loan is unique in that the investments are not earmarked for specific projects and Transnet retains considerable flexibility in the allocation of funds, which will enable it to respond to the rapidly changing needs of the sector.

The Port of Tenerife (Spain) carried out a controlled disembarkation of passengers from a cruise vessel following suspected hantavirus cases on board. The operation was implemented in coordination with Spain’s national health authorities and in alignment with guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), which has supported the response framework and issued recommendations to ensure public health safety. Specific protocols included controlled passenger flows, medical screening, and supervised transfers ashore. Authorities stated that measures were applied under established emergency health procedures, and that port operations continued without disruption. The case highlights coordinated action between port, national and international health bodies in managing maritime public health events.

Pakistan plans to establish a new ‘Energy City’ and a multipurpose terminal at Port Qasim as part of a broader push to strengthen the country’s blue economy. The country has also sought to modernise its port operations, improve the livelihoods of fisherfolk and align its marine management practices with national and international environmental commitments in recent years. Terminal operators are being encouraged to form consortiums and invest in the Energy City initiative as well as the planned multipurpose terminal at Port Qasim. In return, terminal operators requested tax reductions and industrial status for port authorities similar to the telecommunications sector.