Biodiversity focused mooring infrastructure for ports

Unveiled on World Oceans Day 2026, the new artificial reef solution is aimed at reducing the environmental impact of conventional mooring systems used across ports, harbours, marinas and wider marine infrastructure projects.

“Marine infrastructure has traditionally been designed with little consideration for ecological function. Ecoreef represents a different approach, actively contributing to healthier marine ecosystems while still delivering the operational performance required by ports, marinas and coastal projects,” said Dr Philip Sanders, aquatic ecologist and sustainability strategist at Ecocoast.

“By combining protection for juvenile fish with coral recruitment and reduced seabed disturbance through the Ecomoor system, Ecoreef represents a new generation of underwater infrastructure that goes beyond traditional anchoring systems to actively support marine ecosystem recovery and regeneration.”

Biodiversity focus

Developed as part of Ecocoast’s sustainability strategy, Ecoreef combines operational mooring performance with ecological enhancement, supporting juvenile fish habitats, coral recruitment and increased marine biodiversity.

The system has undergone three years of research, engineering and field development in the UAE since being conceived in 2023.

Ecocoast has worked alongside artificial reef specialist and marine ecologist Dr Aaron Bartholomew, with post-design research support provided by Fujairah Research Centre.

Designed for applications spanning port construction, marine civils, aquaculture and coastal developments, Ecoreef replaces traditional concrete mooring blocks with engineered reef structures intended to create refuge habitats for young fish and support healthier underwater ecosystems.

Successful UAE trial deployments have been underway since August 2025. According to Ecocoast, underwater monitoring recorded juvenile Snappers and Groupers using the structures, highlighting potential benefits for local fisheries and wider biodiversity.

The technology is designed to operate alongside Ecocoast’s Ecomoor mooring line system, which reduces seabed scouring commonly associated with steel mooring chains. Together, the systems aim to provide ports, marinas and coastal operators with a lower-impact marine infrastructure solution that integrates habitat creation into operational assets.

Ecocoast said the patent-pending technology forms part of its wider strategy to integrate ecological enhancement into commercial marine infrastructure projects across the Middle East and Europe.