The International Atomic Energy Agency is currently looking at the potential applications of small modular reactors (SMRs) for floating power plants and marine propulsion systems. This technology is on the cusp of being deployed on ships today, and it holds promise for contributing to the future energy mix within the maritime sector.93 Ports should prioritize the use of advanced equipment powered by electricity or other alternative fuels to reduce pollution and GHG emissions and gradually replace ageing and carbon-intensive equipment. Along with advanced equipment’s improvement in operational efficiency and ports’ growing capacity in clean power generation, impacts on nature can be minimized in value chain mid- stream operational activities. Ports can promote the use of the following advanced equipment: electric container cranes, hybrid tugs, clean energy vehicles (trucks, passenger vehicles, towing vehicles, etc.), charging posts, wind and solar-powered streetlights, remote excavators, and autonomous vehicles. Adopting energy-saving and environmentally friendly materials in port construction and operation can contribute to the nature-positive transition by reducing energy consumption, waste pollution and natural resource use. Sustainable materials have additional benefits, including lowering operating costs, improving port profitability, enhancing public image and improving the working environment of employees. The selection of materials should consider characteristics such as wear and tear, durability, recycling, degradability, etc. Ports can adopt the optimal use of materials in the following ways: –Adopt degradable materials. –Use materials that can be recycled at their disposal. –Consider life cycle cost and emissions in material selection. –Procure locally sourced materials to minimize supply chain distance. –Use recycled materials (e.g. from the demolition of existing projects). –Treat wasted materials to meet environmental, health and safety standards. –Select environmentally friendly materials that are harmless to humans and ecosystems. –Optimize the design of material use while ensuring structural safety and durability. To reduce dependencies on freshwater use in operations, ports should save and recycle freshwater to the maximum extent with advanced equipment and systems. In addition to civil water supply, ports can use other water sources, such as surface water, seawater desalination, water, reclaimed water, rainwater, etc. The following actions can be adopted by ports to improve their dependency on nature: –Adopt water-saving appliances and implement water-saving systems to reduce water demand. –Design water supply systems by zoning and use, separated based on quality and pressure. –Build and upgrade rainwater and sewage collection and treatment systems to collect and treat water, which can then be used for operation activities such as watering green areas in the harbour, washing equipment and removing dust in dry bulk cargo yards with mist-spraying systems. <<long quote>> should be between 100 and 175 characters like this one, and should come directly from the text on the related page, should be between 100 and 175 characters. Nature Positive: Role of the Port Sector 31

Nature Positive Role of the Ports Sector