Study on the Investment Requirements of Developing Countries for Port Decarbonisation and Adaptation to Climate Change
International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH)
Download
Abstract: This study, commissioned by the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), analyzes the investment needs of developing countries' seaports to achieve port decarbonisation and climate resilience. It evaluates both mitigation (e.g., green fuel infrastructure, port electrification) and adaptation (e.g., flood protection, dredging, storm-proofing) requirements, contextualized through case studies in Kenya, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Brazil, and India. The report outlines infrastructure typologies, disruption drivers such as climate impacts and geopolitical instability, and details how financial, technological, and institutional challenges hinder progress. It advocates for a just transition in port finance, emphasizing blended finance mechanisms, reinvestment of carbon pricing revenue, and support for smaller, climate-vulnerable economies. The Kenya case study focuses on Mombasa and Lamu ports and highlights challenges such as rising sea levels, lack of access to LNG bunkering, and the urgent need for electrified cargo handling.