Living Ports Project, the next generation of port infrastructure led by ECOncrete, goes live at the Port of Vigo
- ‘Beacon of hope’ Living Ports Project uses ECOncrete’s revolutionary ecological concrete that stores carbon and encourages biodiversity – paving the way for net positive marine infrastructure
- ECOncrete is leading the Living Ports Project, delivered by an interdisciplinary consortium that includes Port of Vigo, Cardama Shipyards and Denmark Technical University (DTU), and funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program
- Innovative initiative includes an underwater observatory, enabling people to watch ecosystems grow and thrive
Monday 27 March 2023, Port of Vigo, Spain – The ground-breaking Living Ports Project, the next generation of port infrastructure, officially opened on Friday 24 March – leading the way for greener marine construction.
The Living Ports Project, showcasing the next generation of port infrastructure at the Port of Vigo, is an ECOncrete lead project, delivered by an interdisciplinary consortium that includes Cardama Shipyards and Denmark Technical University (DTU), and was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.
This ECOncrete project serves as a blueprint for sustainable port infrastructure globally: A beacon for marine infrastructure developers to be net postive and help in the global journey to net zero. The innovative initiative transforms coastal and marine infrastructure by combining structural, environmental and socio-economic benefits.
Currently, 70 per cent of coastal infrastructure is built with traditional concrete. The smooth surfaces of seawalls built with traditional concrete are not habitable for marine organisms and require expensive maintenance – estimated to be around €2.2 trillion per year worldwide. ECOncrete’s revolutionary concrete stores carbon and encourages biodiversity – paving the way for net positive marine infrastructure.
A key component of the Living Ports Project is the Nautilus underwater observatory, which opened to the public on 24 March. Named in homage to Captain Nemo’s submarine in Jules Verne’s ‘20,000 Leagues Under The Sea’, the observatory will offer visitors a unique experience of witnessing first-hand the development of biodiversity on ECOncrete seawalls.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, ECOncrete CEO and Co-Founder, Dr. Ido Sella, said: “I’m honored and proud to be here today to launch and celebrate our Living Ports Project coming to life. It has been a real team effort. Talented and committed people, from different disciplines, have worked together towards a common net positive goal which this global beacon of hope guides us towards.”
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About ECOncrete
ECOncrete is a leading innovator in the field of ecological marine infrastructure, offering bio-enhancing concrete solutions for coastal and marine construction projects. By combining research, design, and cutting-edge technology, ECOncrete promotes sustainable development and supports the growth of marine biodiversity.
Living Ports Project – The next generation of port infrastructure
Living Ports is a collaboration of four partners led by ECOncrete® Tech to showcase an industry level ecological alternative to traditional concrete infrastructure. ECOncrete’s nature-inclusive-design technology spans two sites at the port of Vigo. The project also includes biology research carried out by DTU and an underwater observatory delivered by Cardama Shipyard.
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