Advancing sustainable port development in the Western Indian Ocean region

Abstract

The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region is experiencing rapid growth in large-scale developments, including ports. These ports play an important role in the region’s economy, but they are invariably located in coastal areas with rich natural resources that provide other ecosystem-based societal benefits. Progress has been made towards greater port sustainability in the region in recent years, but there is an urgent need to accelerate regional sustainable efforts. In response, the Nairobi Convention Secretariat initiated the development of a ‘Toolkit for Sustainable Port Development’. This was rooted in an Integrated Port Management (IPM) framework comprising four key phases: planning, design, construction, and operations. A systematic and incremental approach is recommended for implementation, first adopting the IPM framework and then applying eco-friendly technologies and practices based on place-based priorities to reduce environmental impacts and unacceptable socio-economic consequences. This will contribute significantly to sustainable port development in the WIO region.