The AquaBioTech Group is a Malta-based international consultancy specialising in aquatic environment, aquaculture and fisheries projects. The company provides business consulting, market intelligence and strategic operations management services and has strong research and development capabilities.

Challenge:

As part of the EIT Climate-KIC project on resilient, net-zero emission maritime hubs and as a project partner, the AquaBioTech Group needed to support the EIT Climate-KIC in the creation of an innovation portfolio on decarbonisation in the port and shipping industry and the transition to a circular economy.

Solution:

We worked with the AquaBioTech group to analyse the socio-economic context of ports. We focused on the port of Piraeus in Greece and the Valencia port hub (ports of Valencia, Sagunto, and Gandia) in Spain. We analysed the status-quo, regulations, technologies, user values and institutions, and identified intervention points to accelerate sustainable transformation. We identified negative impacts of maritime shipping to marine ecosystems, and showcased best practices-sustainable port case studies from around the world to emphasize the ports potential to enhance marine ecosystems and biodiversity in line with the EU taxonomy.

Result:

We provided port-specific suggestions to the Port of Piraeus and the Valencia port hub on how to overcome barriers and address issues such as energy transition, circular economy, sustainable mobility, social engagement and climate change adaptation. We also shared lessons learned, highlighting measures taken by port authorities to promote the ecological services of marine ecosystems in a way that benefits people.