Several French ports have secured government backing for their offshore wind projects. Launched under France 2030, the “Ports” call for projects supports the adaptation of port infrastructure to activities linked to floating offshore wind. In Nantes Saint-Nazaire, the EOLE project receives €59.6 million for a wind turbine assembly platform, as part of a total €205 million investment. In Marseille, the DEOS project receives €80 million for a construction and assembly platform in Fos-sur-Mer, with a total cost of €303 million. In Spain, the Transport Ministry’s 2027 port investment plan provides €1.567 billion, including €321.8 million for energy transition and port electrification. It also allocates €67 million to initiatives aimed at bringing ports, cities and citizens closer together.

The Port of Vigo (Spain) has opened Atlántida, a new underwater observatory designed to bring citizens closer to the marine environment of the Ría de Vigo. Located in Bouzas and submerged between 6 and 10 meters, depending on the tide, the facility offers visitors a direct view of local marine life, including seabream, wrasse, sea bass and triggerfish. Two dedicated seahorse shelters and underwater cameras also allow biodiversity to be monitored in real time. As part of the port’s Peiraos do Solpor strategy and its Blue Growth approach, the project combines environmental education, public access and biodiversity enhancement. The €5.7 million investment was supported by €3.8 million in Next Generation EU funds, with €1.6 million provided by the Port of Vigo.

In Genoa (Italy), the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority has created the Fondazione Palazzo delle Compere di San Giorgio. The Foundation aims to valorize the historic palace that today hosts the Port Authority into a permanent centre for cultural, scientific and educational activities, promoting its conservation and public access. It will also develop partnerships with universities and cultural institutions, organise exhibitions and events, and support research and publications. In Liverpool (UK), Peel Ports has completed the restoration of the historic Langton Dock Pumphouse following an investment of almost £1 million, preserving an important element of the city’s dock heritage.

A historic drought is hitting the world, with the Rhine, the Danube and the Amazon region reaching record-low levels. Faced with the crisis, ports are adapting their logistics. The port of Hamburg (Germany) launches direct trains to bypass the Rhine and connect maritime terminals to inland hubs. The port of Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium) raises its dock levels in advance, and groups ship passages to limit water loss. In Manaus (Brazil), shipping companies anticipate navigation restrictions, with a possible river closure in the coming months.

In the face of the degradation of marine ecosystems, several European ports launched concrete projects to restore underwater life. The port of Castellón (Spain) installed artificial reefs to improve water quality and provide shelter for new marine species. The port of Gandía (Spain) tested a seaweed-based biofilter to treat water without chemical additives, as part of the European TREASURE programme. The port of Rotterdam (Netherlands) introduced half a million flat oysters into its waters to filter water, reduce excess nutrients and create a habitat for other marine species.