Adaptive strategies for enhancing threat-agnostic resilience of port ecosystems

Maria Pina Limongelli

PORTAL is pioneering an innovative, threat-agnostic framework to pre-empt cascading losses and establish resilience benchmarks with fit-for-purpose adaptation measures to proactively mitigate negative impacts on Port Infrastructure and interdependent SocioeCOlogical
systems (PISCO). PORTAL’s vision is important as ports handle 75% of the EU's trade, and face rising climate challenges, with $7.5 billion in global annual losses due to multi-hazard risks. In doing so, we deliver more resilient, inclusive and environmentally friendly PISCO. We do this through innovation, as we will deliver an interdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder inclusive, and scalable approach to optimise PISCO’s resilience and sustainability, with emphasis on people’s needs and environmental benefits. PORTAL integrates cutting-edge technologies such as digital twins and generative AI (GenAI) to enhance sustainable adaptation strategies. This is achieved through tailored designs of win-win solutions, e.g. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), in inclusive and gamified PISCO. To achieve this vision, PORTAL includes a comprehensive training and capacity building programme embedded within its research, innovation, and dissemination activities. PORTAL leverages interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral secondments to enhance the skills of researchers and professionals through knowledge transfer. We facilitate decision-making to incentivise resilience strategies of PISCO operators, foster a safer environment and advance career development of participants, in line with EU policy goals for digital and green transition. PORTAL outputs include an advanced communication platform empowered by predictive tools, immersive training environments using augmented and virtual reality, and a library of actionable adaptation measures. These tools will empower diverse stakeholders identified through the empirical analysis of Socio-Ecological System (SES) to collaboratively improve environmental sustainability and strengthen resilience.