Climate Resilience in Global Ports: Navigating the Future

Ports are not just places where ships dock. Ports are the main centers of global trade, energy transit areas, and the lifeblood of the global economy. Ports, which are complex structures, face many challenges to survive. However, these days, ports face an even greater threat: CLIMATE CHANGE. The effects of climate change — such as rising sea levels, severe storms, coastal erosion, and increasingly frequent heatwaves — directly impact not only the infrastructure of ports but also their operational continuity and sustainability. In the current situation, we should no longer ask whether climate change affects ports, but rather how it does, and how much better we can manage the process. 

Collaborating with Climate Change 

Many ports around the world are located in coastal areas very close to sea level. From a commercial perspective, this may seem advantageous. However, regarding climate change, ports are highly vulnerable particularly to sea-level rise and coastal flooding, which can severely damage port infrastructure, disrupt logistics operations, and lead to significant economic losses.,. Many face numerous additional burdens, such as infrastructure renovation costs and disruptions to port operations. For this reason, ports need not only to achieve their optimal performance but also to become climate-resilient meaning they must be able to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to climate-related risks such as sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and long-term environmental changes. .Achieving this goal does not appear possible solely through renovations or technical investments; strategically sound steps are also required. 

What Is Being Done Worldwide? 

When we look at ports globally, they are undergoing significant transformations through innovations such as enhancing technological infrastructure (e.g. upgrading automation and communication systems), implementing flood risk mitigation measures (like constructing sea walls and improving drainage system), embracing digitalization, green buffer zones to protect coastal ecosystems, and deploying early warning systems to better prepare for extreme weather events. A shift towards cleaner energy and more environmentally friendly approaches has become a key objective. However, these changes often require substantial financial resources, which can be particularly challenging for developing countries. For example, the majority of Kenyan ports' investments in climate resilience and decarbonisation initiatives are directed at reducing the dangers of coastal flooding and severe rainfall. Initiatives like building a seawall to safeguard Kenya's coastline are examples of flooding-related expenditures that can cost billions of dollars and require substantial resources. As the effects of climate change become more noticeable in seaports and inland ports across the country, smaller ports also face formidable obstacles. Each port has its own specific risks and implementing effective flood prevention measures often requires significant financial investment... On top of that, the legal and bureaucratic aspects of implementing new regulations can be complex and time-consuming. This challenge is particularly significant for developing countries. For example, Olaniyi et al. (2024) highlight that the evolving and intricate nature of maritime regulations often impedes policy goal realization, enforcement, and impact evaluation, illustrating how regulatory complexity can hinder effective implementation in maritime governance. Developing realistic and integrated solutions will be essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of ports.  

The Future of Ports 

If ports want to survive climate crises, they must withstand environmental threats and contribute to sustainable development. This can be achieved not only by investing in infrastructure but also through employee training, policy support, digitalization, and collaboration with society. To share knowledge, technology and vision, academia, the private sector, the public, and civil society must work together. Ports should no longer just be places where products are transferred but rather places where new ideas are developed. As a result, climate change has reached a significant turning point in the life of ports. 

Those who are prepared for this change will not only reduce damages but also become the actors shaping the trade routes, production networks, and environmental policies of the future.  

The ports of tomorrow will be shaped by the decisions made today. 

For those who want to do more academic reading on the subject, I’m adding a few suggestions.
Enjoy your reading 😊  

About the Author 

Elif Demir is a PhD candidate at Istanbul Technical University. She works on sustainable port management, climate policies, and green transformation.  

References:

León-Mateos, F., Sartal, A., López-Manuel, L., & Quintás, M. A. (2021). Adapting our sea ports to the challenges of climate change: Development and validation of a Port Resilience Index. Marine Policy, 130, 104573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104573 

Image source: European Union Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, link (Accessed June 2, 2025). 

Olaniyi, E. O., Solarte-Vasquez, M. C., & Inkinen, T. (2024). Smart regulations in maritime governance: Efficacy, gaps, and stakeholder perspectives. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 202, 116341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116341 

International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH). (2024, September 26). Port climate investments report (MTBS-IAPH Report No. 2024-09-26). Retrieved fromhttps://www.iaphworldports.org