Key Takeaways – NBS for Ports – Report by World Bank and Ecoshape

The recent and extensive World Bank report on “Nature Based Solutions for Ports”, developed with EcoShape partners Haskoning, Arcadis, Boskalis and others, underscores the growing potential of nature-based solutions (NBS) to address pressing challenges in ports worldwide. As ports face increasing demands to reduce climate risks, improve operational resilience, and support biodiversity, NBS offer a compelling strategy that integrates ecological and engineering objectives.

Among the various NBS families explored in the report, “enhanced hard structures” stand out for their unique ability to transform conventional concrete elements into ecologically valuable assets – from breakwaters and sediment stabilization to port quay walls.

By considering nature-inclusive design principles early on in any port infrastructure project, hard structures support marine life colonization and habitat creation. This approach not only bolsters biodiversity but also enhances water quality and can improve the structural performance of port infrastructure.

Enhanced Hard Structures: Econcrete Case Studies

The report references multiple ECOncrete projects as examples of this approach in action. From the Living Breakwaters in New York’s systemic approach to nature-inclusive design, to projects like the Living Ports project in the Port of Vigo and the Marina Quay Blocks in Malaga: our case studies demonstrate how a validated approach can be applied to convert traditionally “sterile” structures into thriving ecological habitats, contributing to nature-positive outcomes while achieving full compliance with engineering standards.

 

Favorable Cost-Benefit Profile of Enhanced Hard Structures

A key advantage of enhanced hard structures is their favorable cost-benefit profile. Unlike other large-scale NBS, such as salt marshes or mangroves, that often require extensive space and long maturation periods, ecological concrete solutions can be integrated directly into existing port assets, offering immediate ecological uplift without compromising operational space.

The World Bank further emphasizes the importance of stakeholder collaboration, monitoring, and adaptive management to ensure long-term success. By embedding ecological value into essential infrastructure, enhanced hard structures represent a pragmatic, scalable pathway for ports aiming to meet global biodiversity targets and strengthen their license to operate.

As the maritime sector advances toward climate resilience and sustainability, these innovations signal a critical shift: engineering with nature, rather than against it.

 

Read on:

 

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Graphics and visuals in this post copyright: World Bank. 2025. Nature-Based Solutions for Ports: An Overview of NBS Implementation in Practice – Opportunities and Challenges. World Bank, Washington, DC. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO

ECOncrete Wins Inaugural Seanergy Award in Paris

ECOncrete is proud to have been selected as the first recipient of the Seanergy Award in the category “Environmental Commitment” at this year’s Seanergy tradeshow in Paris. 

Our innovative projects, in particular the Cable Protection Blocks in the Natura 2000 rock reef in Fuerteventura for Red Eléctrica  and marine mattresses manufactured and deployed recently in the US, garnered significant interest among attendees. These projects demonstrate the potential of our concrete-based technologies to simultaneously stabilize essential marine infrastructure and support local marine life, transforming gray infrastructure into living systems.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to advancing discussions and partnerships across Europe to embed ecological value at every stage of marine construction. Later this year, our team will be returning to France for the biannual Conference on Wind Energy and Wildlife (CWW) in France, where our Marine Biologists will share the latest updates in our presentation and contribute to panels focused on NID and offshore biodiversity enhancement.

Reach out for a meeting and join us at CWW at booth 29bis to connect with our experts.

Watch: Marine Biodiversity Developing On Concrete Mattresses

These eco-engineered mattresses were deployed over a year ago to protect and stabilize a submarine cable on the seabed along the US East Coast. The footage captured in a recent dive to monitor the biological benefits of the mattresses show a rich marine ecosystem and biodiversity developing on the mattresses.

Nature-inclusive solutions are already applied at scale – enabling ecological accountability in offshore infrastructure, while unlocking new opportunities for local supply chains.

 

More:

ECOncrete on the N-EWN Webinar

The US Army Corps of Engineer’s Network for Engineering With Nature (N-EWN) invites you to view the N-EWN Knowledge Series – A Continuing Education Series about Engineering with Nature: Design for Biodiversity, Nature-Inclusive Applications in Urban Waterfronts & Coastal Infrastructure with Ido Sella, PhD. CEO and Co-Founder of ECOncrete.

As an advisory member of the USACE’s Network for Engineering With Nature (N-EWN), we presented case studies and best practices for nature-inclusive infrastructure.


Watch the full webinar recording here.

When it comes to planning and constructing coastal and marine infrastructure, promoting nature-inclusive design has multiple financial, structural and ecological benefits. Through project case studies, we explore different applications of science-driven, nature-inclusive construction and gain a deeper understanding of ecosystem services in urban and working waterfronts, as well as the implementation of a holistic approach based on scientific findings and monitoring results.

Watch the N-EWN webinar where ECOncrete co-founder and CEO Ido Sella presented case studies and best practices for nature-inclusive marine infrastructure. This 1-hour Zoom webinar took place June 20, 2024 at 12:30pm ET. Click here to watch the full recording.

For further reading: ECOncrete contributed case studies and best practices to the latest volume of  Engineering With Nature: An Atlas, Volume 3.

 

Offshore Wind Fisheries and Biodiversity Research Project

Scientific evaluation of nature-inclusive designs in offshore wind infrastructure, and potential benefits for biodiversity, at ECOncrete’s Scour Protection installation 12 miles off Long Island.

Research teams from Stony Brook University NY are monitoring the biodiversity development, focusing on the change in population and fish diversity associated with the structure. This research is supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to better understand potential impacts of offshore wind development on benthic habitats.

As part of a large-scale demonstration project, ECOncrete nature-inclusive scour protection solution was deployed a year ago in coordination with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Over 1,000 metric tons of bio-enhancing scour protection and rock-material for comparison during scientific monitoring were installed at a depth of more than 100ft.

The 12-month biological monitoring includes Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, high-resolution multibeam mapping, and finfish habitat and community modeling. Additionally, 3D physical model tests provide information on the hydraulic stability and porosity of the solution as a full armor layer for scour protection around a monopile, compared to traditional rock.

These results will help better understand how these novel scour protection materials are behaving and evolving in the marine environment and what effect they have on the evolution of the nearby seabed. This will allow us to reveal a deeper understanding of the impact of ecologically designed structures on marine biodiversity and what the implications are for offshore wind development going forward.

Cody Garrison, PhD. from Stony Brook University leads a team in eDNA sampling from the field

 

About ECOncrete’s Nature-Inclusive Engineering & Design

ECOncrete’s solutions for scour and cable protection are engineered and designed to enhance benthic habitats and biodiversity while achieving the required hydraulic stability at higher porosity. Sourced and manufactured locally from low-carbon concrete, the solutions can replace or complement traditionally used rock, which in many cases is shipped from abroad or farther locations.

ECOncrete ecological concrete technology enables nature-inclusive advancement within the existing supply chain of the Offshore Wind sector. The aim for the development of its scour protection solution is to optimize the design to benefit both foundation resiliency, minimize spatial project footprint and improve the local marine ecosystem. The results from the long-term ecological monitoring project holds the potential to set new standards in responsible offshore marine construction.

ECOncrete is committed to continue applying its innovative eco-engineering technology, science-based ecological enhancement principles, and local manufacturing to enable the design and construction of nature-inclusive offshore infrastructure.

Learn more:

Empowering New York Harbor School Students and Advancing Science

ECOncrete’s Head of Biology Presenting at NYSERDA’s State of the Science Workshop

Droplock Ecological Concrete Scour Protection Deployed

 

 

ECOncrete At COP28 In Dubai

Visit us in the #COP28 Green Zone where we will be showcasing applications of ECOncrete technology, invited by Barclays as the main sponsor of the Startup Village in the Green Zone.

With environmental regulations and forward looking governments becoming ever more aligned with the importance of uplifting biodiversity in their requirements for marine construction, adopting resilient nature inclusive solutions into marine infrastructure project supply chains has never been more important.

With COP28 in Dubai promising to be more inclusive and far-reaching than ever, we are looking forward to showcasing our solutions and case studies in our booth in the Start Up Village of the COP Green Zone.

ECOncrete Finalist In VENTUS Offshore Wind Awards

ECOncrete is a finalist in the 2023 Ventus awards’ Supply Chain Advancement category. Oceantic Network’s industry award winners will be announced later this month in Boston.

ECOncrete ecological concrete technology enables nature-positive advancement within the existing supply chain of the Offshore Wind sector. By design, the technology allows local concrete and pre-casting companies to supply offshore wind projects with locally sourced and manufactured scour and cable protection solutions which are eco-engineered to enhance biodiversity (Case Studies and Selected Projects).

Our offshore solutions are an application of over 10 years of R&D in responsible marine construction. The ecological scour and cable protection solutions redefine offshore infrastructure design, combining innovative technology, ecological engineering, and a pivotal supply chain component – local manufacturing with locally sourced materials.

Ecological Integrity, Structural Performance and Localized Production

ECOncrete offshore cable and scour protection solutions integrate the company’s patented and proven ecological concrete technology. It includes a bio-enhancing admixture, surface complexity, and nature-inclusive design optimized for habitat creation and colonization for a wide range of organisms. ECOncrete solutions enable offshore wind developers to create biodiversity enhancement opportunities, and ultimately build nature-positive offshore infrastructure (technology overview and select US projects).

Closeup of ECOncrete tailored cable protection solution to restore biodiversity. Case Study Interconnector Project, Red Electrica, Spain. 10 months after deployment

Increasingly, offshore wind farms require the integration of nature-inclusive design (NID) solutions to mitigate and manage the ecological impact of offshore infrastructures, and to create opportunities to support, enhance, and restore marine biodiversity. In response, offshore developers and contractors are seeking new materials and innovative technologies to design and deploy alternative solutions to current industry standards.

ECOncrete’s approach, to leverage offshore infrastructure to promote and enhance marine biodiversity at scale, represents a shift in design paradigm. Compared to more localized measures such as add-ons that are often not a core part of the offshore infrastructure, this shift is driving innovation with the goal to increase the ecological value of offshore wind farm infrastructures and upscale desired ecological effects.

Locally Sourced Ecological Scour & Cable Protection

ECOncrete eco-engineering solutions for scour and cable protection unlock new opportunities for offshore developers to adapt their design and integrate biodiversity enhancements as an integral part of the construction of offshore infrastructure assets. At the same time, these solutions unlock new supply chain advancement opportunities to support local manufacturing as in Marine Mattresses in use in various projects.

We are thrilled to see our advances and work recognized in this way, and are looking forward to the Boston event!

 

Official Ventus Awards 2023 Website

 

LIFE COSTAdapta Project Launched

Yesterday, the pioneering COSTAdapta 7-year LIFE project was officially launched in Gran Canaria, Spain, where ECOncrete provides expertise and technology for nature-inclusive coastal protection solutions in a consortium with partners from industry and academia.

The project addresses necessary adaptation to the coast of Gran Canaria to sea level-rise, applying an innovative and holistic strategy. A one of its kind tide pool-system will be designed and tested. We will share more details as the project evolves in the coming months.

With a duration of 7 years and a total budget of roughly 3.5 Mio Euros (subsidized by the EU through the LIFE Programme), this initiative focuses on strengthening the resilience of coastal areas to sea level rise while preserving their unique biodiversity.

“The collaboration of seven high-level partners gives us confidence that we can find innovative solutions to preserve our natural and economic environment. We are committed to working together to ensure a sustainable future for Gran Canaria,” the president of the Cabildo, Antonio Morales said.

By offering a solution to potential erosion and flooding, while also fostering the region’s tourist appeal, we aim to improve adaptation, preserve the coastal environment and contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future.

Partners of LIFE COSTAdapta project

 

Read more:

ECOncrete Technical Workshop June 2023: Nature-Based Design Principles

Join us for the 2023 ECOncrete Technical Workshop, where we will explore the latest innovations in sustainable concrete solutions for urban waterfronts and marine infrastructure! Limited space and in-person only in New York (June 2) and Florida (June 6). Reach out to us now to secure your spot .

Our ECOncrete experts, and our guest speaker Cortney Koenig Worrall (CEO Waterfront Alliance) cover a range of topics, such as:

  • Designing with nature and how to reduce the environmental impact associated with waterfront construction
  • Non-proprietary specification language for precast and cast-in-place ecological concrete
  • Presentation of a newly developed Benefit Costs Analysis (BCA) tool for a more holistic evaluation of implementing ecological design principles into the design and construction of concrete based coastal and marine infrastructure.

Workshop Agenda

The workshop will begin with a continuing education session led by Andrew Rella (Coastal & Environmental Engineer) focused on the ecological enhancement of concrete-based urban and working waterfronts.

This will be followed by a presentation from Cortney Koenig Worrall (CEO Waterfront Alliance) on the Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines, and the importance of nature-based features in the design of urban and working waterfronts.

Maor Bezner (ECOncrete CTO) will present ECOncrete’s newly developed specifications for precast and cast-in-place concrete elements in compliance with the requirements of marine infrastructure tenders.

To demonstrate the true value of implementing ecological design principles, ECOncrete’s Patricia Marcaida will demonstrate the new Benefit Costs Analysis tool.

Whether you’re a civil engineer, architect, or environmental scientist, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to expand your knowledge and network with others in your field. Don’t miss out on this exciting event.

Limited seats are available. Please get in touch with us now to receive a detailed agenda and secure your spot!

 

Case Study: Red Electrica Ecological Sub-sea Cable Protection

The sub-sea electrical interconnector cable between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, protected by ecological concrete technology, has enhanced marine biodiversity: Red Eléctrica, the Spanish electricity grid operator, and ECOncrete have demonstrated the environmental benefits of this innovative solution.

These are the results of the case study on the ecological impact of its sub-sea electricity cable connecting the islands Lanzarote and Fuerteventura that is being presented these days at the WindEurope 2023 Annual Event.

  • Visual findings show marine wildlife flourishing along the cable in less than 1-year post- installation
  • Signals a positive future for nature inclusive marine infrastructure and increased investments in environmental solutions
  • New cable allows greater deployment of renewables on the islands too – double win for the environment

 

 

Red Eléctrica’s sub-sea cable between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura is protected by ECOncrete’s revolutionary bio-enhancing concrete technology, a tailor-made ecological concrete solution to protect the infrastructure along its underwater trench. This is a project aimed at promoting the integration of this type of infrastructure in the environment and its positive impact on the environment.

Findings collected on camera by professional divers are remarkable: Marine life is thriving along the route and the cable protection has merged with the natural marine habitat, to the extent that the installation is in most parts invisible to the naked eye. Various species of algae, sponges, crustaceans, molluscs, sea urchins and fish have adopted the structure as their habitat, presenting a clear ecological uplift compared to standard systems.

For the full report and more images download our Case Study (English) Case Study (Spanish)

 

Red Eléctrica worked with ECOncrete to develop and deploy a bespoke ecological concrete solution for protecting the cable along its sub-sea trench. ECOncrete designed and delivered a bio-enhancing concrete solution to address Red Eléctrica’s challenge to cap the cable trench in the rocky seabed between the islands. This required a technology capable of not only protecting the cable but also the local marine ecosystem and its biodiversity. An approach that is in line with the policy of positive impact on the environment carried out by Red Eléctrica in the development of all its infrastructures.

ECOncrete CEO and Co-Founder, Dr. Ido Sella, said: “This project demonstrates the ability to bridge sustainability and development with responsible and accountable construction. As a marine biologist, seeing these findings made me more optimistic about the shift in the industry priorities and its recognition of marine ecosystems importance. ECOncrete’s technology allows coastal and offshore infrastructure to support biodiversity and other ecosystem services, and all of us at ECOncrete and Red Eléctrica are thrilled with the results.”

For the full report and more images download our Case Study (English) Case Study (Spanish)

Red Eléctrica Manager of Licences and Environmental Management Area, Luis Velasco, highlighted the double benefit provided by the infrastructure developed by the Company: “This new sub-sea cable has not only allowed us to expand the quantity of renewable energy on the islands, as part of the road to net zero, but has also enhanced the marine environment around the islands too. A real win-win.”

Red Eléctrica has invested 36 million euros in this 14.5 km interconnector cable, running at a maximum depth of 80 metres, and two land-based underground cable sections of 1.8 km on Lanzarote and 645 metres on Fuerteventura. The cable reinforces an existing one at 66 kV, increasing the robustness and flexibility of the electrical system on both islands.

 

IAPH 2022 Sustainability Award For Living Ports in Vigo

Our Living Ports project in the Port of Vigo (Spain) has won the International Ports and Harbors Sustainability Award for Infrastructure! The project is designed to catalyze new concepts for environmentally sustainable port infrastructure, and it is funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 funds. The multi-national project consortium is led by ECOncrete.

We are proud to announce that our Living Ports project in the Port of Vigo was awarded the Sustainability Award in the infrastructure category by the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH). The multi-layered initiative to develop more sustainable, next-generation ports infrastructure, was recognized for its pioneering work within the ports industry.

Voting took place via a public vote (30%) and jury evaluation (70%). The other nominees included environmental and sustainability initiatives of the Port of Rotterdam (NL), Port of Hamburg (D) and Gladstone Ports (AU).

Proud To Lead The Field And Set A New Standard

Ido Sella, CEO of ECOncrete said, “We are excited that Living Ports has been recognized by the public and peer voting for the innovative project it truly is! ECOncrete is proud to lead this project, developing next-generation port infrastructure. We hope that this project will continue to act as a leading example for the future of the sustainable ports ecosystem in Spain, Europe and the wider global community!”

The project is designed to showcase and scientifically document new technologies and ideas to achieve environmental & biological goals, as well as social goals (port-city integration).

Carlos Botana, Head of Sustainability Department at Port of Vigo, stated in his acceptance speech at the IAPH World Ports Conference: “This project deals with a new concept that is committed to building green (blue) port infrastructure, and integrating ports into the ecosystem and into the city.”

1 Port – 2 Sites – Multiple Installations

Living Ports includes a 310m² ECOncrete sea wall and 100 ECOncrete Coastalock single layer armour units, installed at 2 sites in the Port of Vigo. The bio-enhancing concrete units will provide coastal stabilization as well as habitat creation and ecological uplift.

The floating observation deck will give access to researches as well as to the community and visitors to the port, to witness firsthand the development of biodiversity and port ecosystem on and around the ECOncrete sea wall units.

About the Project Consortium

The project consortium is led by ECOncrete, providing bio-enhancing concrete technology for more sustainable and ecological marine infrastructure. Living Ports is a central part of the Port of Vigo’s Blue Growth strategy and includes development of an underwater observation platform designed and developed by Cardama Shipyard. Implementation, monitoring and validation will be performed in cooperation with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

Official Website Living Ports

Official Website IAPH/WPSP Sustainability Awards

BBC News Arabic Reporting About ECOncrete

In the context of the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference, BBC News Arabic featured ECOncrete in an extensive report highlighting the ecological benefits of ECOncrete solutions over standard concrete marine construction.

In an in-depth interview with our Global Director of Engineering Andrew Rella, BBC News explores the benefits of ECOncrete protecting the shorelines and benefitting local ecosystems. Watch the full 6 minutes feature below.