CLARION
Climate Resilient Port, Inland Waterways and Hinterland Infrastructure
Enhancing transport infrastructure resilience and preparedness for climate change impacts.
Vision.
Τo create an ecosystem of scientific knowledge, collaborative processes, and contribute to reduce infrastructure vulnerability to climate change and other natural or human caused disruptions and achieve modal shift towards zero- and low-emission transport systems. It will be built around a multi-actor approach, designed to deal with the fact that maritime ports are key infrastructures were different actors interact with diverse roles, objectives, and expertise.
The challenge.
The prevailing challenge of climate change, predominantly fueled by human-generated CO2 emissions, stands as one of the foremost obstacles confronting humanity today. Within this context, ports emerge as critical infrastructures, not merely due to their susceptibility to environmental upheavals but also because of their indispensable role in global supply chains. In Europe, this challenge manifests through a multitude of factors, including escalating sea levels and erratic weather phenomena like storms and hurricanes, which disrupt navigational conditions and necessitate adjustments in vessel operations. Further complications arise from shifting ocean currents, coral bleaching, and the proliferation of harmful algal blooms, alongside alterations in cargo volumes and trade patterns spurred by climate-induced shifts in agricultural productivity. Additionally, rising temperatures pose a threat to port infrastructure integrity, heightening the risk of heat-related stress on vital components such as docks, piers, and storage facilities. Moreover, fluctuating precipitation patterns exacerbate erosion and soil instability, potentially compromising the stability of port structures.
Climate Change
Infrastructure Vulnerability
Supply Chain Disruption
Approach & solutions.
To address this challenge, CLARION will adopt a multi-actor approach tailored to the complex dynamics of maritime ports, recognizing the diverse roles, objectives, and expertise of various stakeholders. Drawing from collaborative governance and agile philosophy principles, this approach will shape a methodology ensuring efficient utilization of the vast scientific knowledge contributed by experts across diverse domains such as :
- Port Operations
- Supply Chain Management
- Civil Engineering
- Transport Planning
- Security
- Safety
- Environment
- Economics
- Information Technology
Leveraging the wealth of data from participating ports, the consortium aims to transition from aspirations to tangible progress. Recognizing the imperative for disruptive innovation, CLARION is committed to partnering with port communities to enhance resilience and optimize port services, particularly in the face of extreme weather events.
Pilot Demonstrations
10 Pilot Demonstrations (PDs), 6 of which will be focusing on port infrastructure resilience versus climate change and 4 on hinterland transport resilience focused on improving safety and security in port access and operations, port environmental sustainability, impact of construction, maintenance, operation and decommissioning of port infrastructure.
The PDs will be going beyond the SotA to test and deploy smart and sustainable quay walls,
monitoring and management system for the corrosion of port infrastructure with an automated floating mobile measuring system,
shore tension applicability for RoRo and CONRO terminals during storm conditions, flood impact control DT, dredged sediment reuse in port infrastructure, NBS applicability in maritime ports, DT to support the resilience of connected inland waterways infrastructure, a DT for extreme weather forecasts, federated learning using aerial drones/satellite data/in-situ sensors for cadastral measurements and
response to extreme weather, and an EMS for extreme weather events.
Increased Port Infrastructure Resilience
Demonstrate technologies boosting port infrastructure operational availability post-disruptions due to climate change and other causes to 85%.
Modal Shift Support
Aid in shifting port hinterland connections to zero- and low-emission transport systems, aiming for a 25% increase.
Accident Reduction
Target an 80% decrease in extra accidents following disruptions from climate change impacts.
Environmental Impact Mitigation
Achieve a 20% reduction in the environmental footprint of port infrastructure activities, surpassing EU environmental regulations.
CLARION Results Integration
Deploy, assess, and ensure transferability of CLARION outcomes, detailing measures (structural, operational, institutional) to tackle climate risks in diverse contexts.
Outreach and Engagement
Promote CLARION results via strategic engagement with national, EU, and global stakeholders, fostering dialogue to maximize impact and facilitate knowledge transfer.
Our role.
Inlecom Innovation spearheads activities in the context of Emergency Management Systems (EMS) for Extreme Weather events, while concurrently establishing Governance models conducive to fostering collaboration across institutional, modal, and national boundaries.
This project has received funding from the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under GA 101147041. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
