The EU backed Living Ports project in the Port of Vigo (Spain) has won the International Ports and Harbors Sustainability Award for Infrastructure.
We are proud to announce that the Living Ports Project has been recognized as a pioneer within the ports industry, for the multi-layered initiative to develop more sustainable, next-generation ports infrastructure.
Voting took place via a public vote (30%) and jury evaluation (70%). The other nominees included environmental and sustainability initiatives of the Port of Rotterdam (NL), Port of Hamburg (D) and Gladstone Ports (AU).
The project is designed to showcase and scientifically document new technologies and ideas to achieve environmental & biological goals, as well as social goals (port-city integration).
Proud to lead the field
Carlos Botana, Head of Sustainability Department at Port of Vigo stated in his acceptance speech at the IAPH World Ports Conference: "This project deals with a new concept that is committed to building green (blue) port infrastructure, and integrating ports into the ecosystem and into the city."
"Living Ports is a project of all the citizens of the Metropolitan Area of Vigo and we want to share this award with them. Thanks to their support we have once again achieved the highest distinction in environmental matters!” Carlos Botana, Head of Sustainability
Ido Sella, CEO of ECOncrete said, “We are excited that Living Ports has been recognized by the public and peer voting for the innovative project it truly is! ECOncrete is proud to lead this project, developing next-generation port infrastructure. We hope that this project will continue to act as a leading example for the future of the sustainable ports ecosystem in Spain, Europe and the wider global community!”
About the Project Consortium
The project consortium is led by ECOncrete, providing bio-enhancing concrete technology for more sustainable and ecological marine infrastructure. Living Ports is a central part of the Port of Vigo’s Blue Growth strategy and includes development of an underwater observation platform designed and developed by Cardama Shipyard. Implementation, monitoring and validation will be performed in cooperation with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).
1 Port - 2 Sites - Multiple Installations
Living Ports includes a 310m² ECOncrete sea wall and 100 ECOncrete Coastalock single layer armour units, installed at 2 sites in the Port of Vigo. The bio-enhancing concrete units will provide coastal stabilization as well as habitat creation and ecological uplift.
The floating observation deck will give access to researches as well as to the community, to witness firsthand the development of biodiversity and port ecosystem on and around the ECOncrete sea wall units.