Several port cities are adopting new measures to address the impacts of cruise tourism on urban environments. In Barcelona (Spain), the city plans to double the tourist tax paid by transit cruise passengers from €4 to €8 per person by 2027 and continues to advocate reducing cruise stopovers that do not start or end in the city. In Amsterdam (Netherlands), authorities have proposed increasing the tourist tax from 12.5% to 20% while continuing efforts to relocate the city-centre cruise terminal and reduce cruise activity in the historic core. Meanwhile, in Bar Harbor (USA), a court ruling overturned a local ordinance that capped cruise passenger numbers, reopening debate over local authority to regulate cruise traffic. Together, these cases illustrate the growing use of fiscal and regulatory tools to manage cruise-related pressures at the port-city interface.

On June 6, the Port of Halifax (Canada) organised mini-train tours and a treasure hunt with a sustainability theme. Numerous partners from the port community joined in the initiative. On 14 June, Port Atlantique La Rochelle (France) will open its doors to the public, offering a variety of activities, guided tours and meetings with professionals to provide a better understanding of port-related careers and explore the site along the quays and amongst the ships present.

In Argentina, the Port of Quequén continues its commitment to inclusion through initiatives designed to strengthen its relationship with the local community. On 1 June, its Puerto Ciudad Inclusiva programme enabled young people from SER, a local centre supporting autistic youth, to discover the port’s birdlife through a creative workshop combining art and ecology. The activity provided an opportunity for learning, participation, and connection with the port landscape. It is the latest initiative under the broader Puerto Ciudad program, which fosters collaboration between schools, community organisations, and residents around shared goals, helping build social acceptance, trust, and a stronger sense of connection to the port.

In Bordeaux (France), the Grand Port Maritime swimming crossing took place on 7 June. Organised by the Girondins club, it raises awareness of environmental issues linked to the river. This year, it is part of the EDF Aqua Challenge, a national competition with 10 stages. In South Korea, by contrast, the government is imposing restrictions on swimming activities at small fishing ports such as Panpo Port and Wolryeong Port. These ports went viral on social media and attracted large crowds, leading to a rise in accidents. The average number of drownings in Jeju during summer rose from 8 to 13 between 2022 and 2025. The revised Fishing Villages and Fishery Harbors Act now bans swimming at fishing ports and imposes fines of up to 500,000 won, enforceable from April 2027.

On 1 June 2026, the Balearic Port Authority (APB) inaugurated the new Palma Port Center in Spain, located within the port area. With this opening, the facility joins the AIVP Port Center Network and becomes the third Spanish representative of this initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between ports and society. Designed as a space for discovery and dialogue, the Port Center welcomes school groups, residents, and visitors. The facility is open from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 8 pm, as well as on Saturday mornings. Through this project, the APB seeks to bring the port closer to society by highlighting its essential role in the connectivity and supply of the Balearic Islands, while showcasing its commitments to sustainability and social responsibility. The multifunctional hall launches its cultural programme with the temporary exhibition Fareras, dedicated to the women lighthouse keepers of the Balearic Islands.

A partnership charter has just been signed between Voies Navigables de France (the management authority of French waterways) and the Rouen Normandy Metropolitan Area (France). It aims to strengthen cooperation between the two institutions regarding the river and its uses. This involves developing the banks of the Seine, transport and logistics, as well as preserving biodiversity and enhancing the region’s appeal. The Seine is a major artery of the metropolitan area, running through it for 95km and passing through 32 municipalities. The partnership establishes a joint governance structure with annual meetings and thematic working groups. Concrete projects have already been identified, such as the restoration and redevelopment of certain quays in Rouen and the development of the Port of Jonquay.