Just under half of investments in environmental sustainability remain on track, a new survey shows.
As part of the latest IAPH-WPSP Port Economic Impact Barometer report, ports were asked about the status of their planned investments in environmental sustainability, given the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report found 45% of ports that responded are executing investments as planned.
IAPH managing director, Patrick Verhoeven, commented: “The results on this particular question echo the views taken by some of the ports of our COVID19 Task Force, namely that a long-term integrated approach towards port environmental sustainability is the best way of combating this current crisis as well as future ones. Joined-up initiatives on climate change mitigation, energy transition, and data collaboration in combination with a coherent business continuity plan will reduce risks to ports’ businesses and enhance resilience.”
Green issues still important
Just under a third (32%) of ports planned to execute green projects with a slight delay, while 15% of investment projects have incurred major delays. 4% were being accelerated, 2% receiving additional funding, and at 2%, only a very small percentage of environmental sustainability projects have been shelved.
Stable operations
The report points towards momentary operational stabilisation for ports. Almost without exception, figures are holding steady at low levels for responding ports in terms of hinterland transport delays, high warehouse and storage capacity utilization and shortages of port-related workers.
“It is noticeable for the first time that delays for trucks at both gate and for cross border trade, inland barge operations and rail services have all fallen back to single digits,” commented co-author, Professor Theo Notteboom. He added: “The number of ports reporting less container and cargo vessel calls compared to normal are, for the moment, holding steady at 35 and 40% respectively.”
