DP World targets coastal ecosystem revival

The coastal restoration initiative at the Constanța South Container Terminal (CSCT), Romania, is aimed at enhancing port operations through environmental stewardship. 

“Protecting marine ecosystems is fundamental to both our business and sustainability ambitions,” said Nicholas Mazzei, vice president, sustainability Europe, DP World.

”This innovative project reflects our ‘source-to-sea’ approach to water stewardship and our commitment to working with partners to restore blue carbon ecosystems. It will support biodiversity, strengthen coastal resilience and contribute to climate adaptation in the Black Sea region.”

Nature regeneration

Delivered in partnership with Mare Nostrum, the Institute of Biology Bucharest and DARVIC, the project will revive native seaweed habitats to strengthen biodiversity and climate adaptation along the Black Sea shoreline.

Central to the initiative is the restoration of Cystoseira barbata, a native seaweed species that forms dense underwater “forests” in shallow waters, providing shelter for crustaceans and nursery grounds for juvenile fish.

This native seaweed species has declined in recent decades due to environmental pressures, impacting coastal ecosystems.

The project will map existing habitats, establish nurseries to cultivate seaweed and oversee reintroduction and monitoring of growth, survival and biodiversity outcomes.

Restored habitat also has the potential to contribute to carbon storage (blue carbon), which the project will monitor.

Alongside scientific work, community engagement programmes will raise awareness of coastal resilience and sustainable practices going forward.

DP World has operated CSCT since 2004 and invested over €250 million in Romania, aligning its port operations with long-term environmental stewardship objectives.