1. GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS

In this thematic block, particular attention is paid to global trends in Sustainable Port Governance with the Triple Bottom Line (social, financial and environmental) approach.

Today, beyond maritime freight transport, the role of ports also creates concern about the multi-modal supply chain, such that ports have become hubs of energy, industry and the blue economy.

. These actions are carried out along with other stakeholders of the port system, be it with other ports or with the rest of the ecosystem’s stakeholders. Today, transparency and sustainability are integrated into corporate social governance.

At the first Congress in Bilbao on Sustainable Ports, we want to present international examples that are included among the most advanced projects in sustainable port governance trends, develop a single sustainability report on the entire port community, and look at what are the new challenges we will face in this changing, challenging world.
Sharing knowledge, experiences.

2. HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Healthy companies in port companies.

Beyond medical examinations and risk prevention, we ask ourselves what we can do in port communities to achieve being a HEalthy and Resilient Organisation (HERO). We aspire to achieve “an organisation that carries out systematic, planned and proactive efforts to improve its psychosocial and financial health, through healthy practices and resources to improve at the level of tasks, social and organisational environment, particularly in situations of crises and sudden changes”.

Starting from that academic view of the healthy and resilient organisation, it will be shown to and discussed with the different public workplace health administrations. What is the path and the most recommendable ways for port companies to move towards advanced management?

The challenge is the creation of a workplace that protects, promotes and supports the physical, mental, social and cultural well-being of workers, their families and the community it is in.

3. CLIMATE AND ENERGY

A resistant and financially safe world is not possible without a healthy and regenerating ocean.

According to Charlotte de Fontaubert, Global Lead for the Blue Economy at The World Bank, climate change causes damaging alterations in the oceans, among which are increased temperature, rising sea levels and acidification.

Climate resilience, decarbonisation strategies, mitigation and the energy transition in the port sector will be the topics to discuss in this section.

The section will be focused on the observation of climate change, the effects it is having on society and on the Planet, and the way in which both ports and maritime businesses are responding to their demands. Climate adaptation and resilience in the port sector, the reduction of physical risks caused by climate change, its effect on assets, new investments in development such as decarbonisation, the generation of green fuel or the search for new fuels are topics that will be dealt with in this section of the congress.

4. PORT AND CITY

Port community stakeholders (authorities, municipalities, companies and workers) can develop synergies to solve collective problems inside and outside the port area. Issues such as bottlenecks at the hinterland entrances and exits, training and education, new technologies, marketing and promotion, innovation and internationalisation are fundamental aspects on which a discussion is demanded. Likewise, port community agents must make an effort to dialogue with interest groups in cities, with the aim of offering inter-related innovative services that contribute towards the attractiveness and resilience of port cities.

Potential topics in this area will be: the management of interest groups, the creation of sustainability reports and dossiers, analysis of the impact on the community, city-port relations, employment, education, territorial planning, nature in ports, port culture or the externalities of port operations…