Why the delay?

… a strategy of preparedness, resilience and adaptability is now imperative for Caribbean port managers

By Paul Kerslake and Ethan James

More than 80% of the volume of international trade in goods is carried by sea, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). And the percentage is even higher for most developing countries.

Ports, the crucial gateways to Caribbean economies and way-of-life, are at risk from rising sea levels; escalating hurricane intensity; and, other climatic shifts. Understanding the gravity of these threats is critical because ports play an indispensable role in the economic health and social fabric of local communities. Ensuring continuity of operations and resilience in the face of natural disasters demands the development of a strategic framework for port managers and key stakeholders including cruise and cargo interests.

The risks to Caribbean ports are increasingly of concern, given the topography and size of each country. Sea Level Rise can threaten port infrastructure, including docks, breakwaters, and storage areas, with potential flooding, erosion and saltwater intrusion. Moreover, the Caribbean’s familiar adversary, hurricanes, are expected to become even more frequent and severe, further endangering port infrastructure. Resulting operational halts seriously affect local and regional economies.

The University of Maine’s Climate Change Institute recently published data showing a string of record-breaking sea temperatures, a formative component of hurricanes. The data (showing daily sea surface temperatures between latitudes 60°N and 60°S, across all longitude) from 1981 to March 2024 clearly indicate an upward warming trend, suggesting a shift towards more extreme weather patterns.

Daily Sea Surface Temperature (between latitudes 60°N and 60°S, across all longitude) from 1981 to March 2024 ).

To navigate these challenges, a multi-pronged strategy, focusing on preparedness, resilience and adaptability, is imperative for Caribbean port managers.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure resilience, including energy supply, is paramount. As such, the challenges at hand necessitate the design and retrofitting of port facilities. And because Caribbean states, as well as other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) within Earth’s Tropical Belt, are much more susceptible to the consequences of Climate Change, these areas must lead the rest of the world by example. One such example could be in building sustainably with the added benefit of rapid operational deployment.

Construction

As ports upgrade to build adaptability and resilience, key opportunities abound. Looking at construction briefly, the method and technology for port buildings can play a contributing role, impacting cost, longevity and even port carbon footprint. Light Steel Frame (LSF) building technology, for example, is a dry construction system which offers an innovative approach for port buildings. This approach uses steel frames as the main skeleton of the building, drastically reducing the need for concrete structures. Software is used to design and engineer all aspects of a building with 3D representations. All components are prepared offsite, shipped to location and assembled on site.

Steel framing speaks to sustainability. It reduces the use of concrete the production of which makes that industry one of the largest greenhouse gas emission contributors. It allows for reduced waiting times, faster construction, reduced labour costs, energy efficiencies, minimum waste disposal, reduced carbon footprint and resilience.

Green energy

Environmental sustainability is at the core of long-term resilience efforts, with ports leading the charge in adopting clean energy and efficient practices.

Investments in green energy infrastructure allow ports to operate more cost effectively. It also diversifies a port’s asset portfolio and eliminates exhausts of greenhouse gases. An additional benefit to green port power is the ability to offer cold ironing especially to cruise ships. This creates additional income for ports while contributing to their customers’ urgent need to maximize carbon intensity index (CII) ratings while at berth. Green power also facilitates the critical variable of resilience by enabling each SIDS to harness and leverage power sources that are locally available in times of need.

Collaboration and knowledge-sharing among Caribbean ports can amplify resilience efforts, fostering region-wide strategies that draw on collective wisdom and resources. As such, the Port Managers Association of the Caribbean is a welcome and significant pillar in these efforts. This collaborative spirit extends to policy advocacy, where port managers can influence Climate Change policies to reflect the needs and challenges of Caribbean ports.

Opportunities

The pivot to sustainability brings into focus opportunities for the Caribbean region that would not otherwise exist. For example, collective efforts could help to build ‘Green Corridors’ for the cruise industry with the provision of green shore power and sustainable waste disposal on an ‘island-hopping, IMO ticking’ route. According to a March 2024 TravelPulse article, the Caribbean enjoyed record cruise visits in 2023 and is set to surpass this record in 2024. This represents a win-win-win situation, especially when you include local communities now devoid of staggering daily pollution from docked cruise vessels.

So, the question that lingers is: Why the delay?

Meaningful change must start now, both for regional climate security as well as setting an example to the world. Indeed, the path to resilience is fraught with complexity and requires enduring commitment and collaboration. Yet, it is a journey on which Caribbean ports must embark. []