Adapt harbour infrastructure (safe havens, additional mooring) (PIANC-ENVICOM)

For marine seaports, rising sea levels and intensity of extreme storms and storm floods are problematic. Altering existing havens or constructing new ones implies addressing safety issues for the increased frequency of strong stream conditions, floods and low water levels. Additionally, moorings address safety issues of increased frequency from strong stream conditions as a result of high water levels or for periods with low precipitation and low water levels. This may allow greater penetration of wave energy to the coastline and into harbours, causing increased coastal erosion in areas with a soft coastline. The capacity of port drainage systems can be overwhelmed by extreme precipitation, leading to surface flooding. For those ports with drainage outlets discharging to a water body, increased water levels can further reduce drainage capacity: if water levels on docks and harbours rise above the level of drainage outlets, drainage pipes can be surcharged and the flow through them can be reduced. To address these problems, responses must target harbour infrastructure by securing harbour walls and other harbour infrastructure, dealing with increased corrosion rates and degradation of materials over time, adapting moorings in ports to changing water levels, and installing additional moorings in and outside of harbours where ships can be kept during floods and low water levels. These facilities will need to have safe access to shore and facilities for crews. More storage capacity at cargo terminals is required for use in times of closure. A more secure port infrastructure will lead to higher security for freight shipment. Benefits can be found for the transportation sector and lower costs for freight transportation on waterways for industrial companies. Societal costs occur through pressure on land use near harbours, if infrastructure has to be relocated or additional moorings are necessary. Higher competition for remaining land that is not impacted by flooding is expected. Also, further land use consequences for wildlife and biodiversity can occur. All these issues are studied in the PIANC Climate Change and Navigation Task Group.