Nearly 90% of the world’s 3,700 major ports are exposed to climate hazards, including hurricanes, flooding, heatwaves and shifting ocean currents, jeopardising global supply chains and infrastructure. A new report from global transport insurer TT Club and engineering consultancy Haskoning warns that delaying adaptation risks escalating damage and costs.

The Urgent Guidance for Ports, Waterways and Logistics Operations report highlights the severe economic and social consequences of inadequate resilience, citing historical cases such as the shutdown of Gulf Coast ports during Hurricane Katrina and the £8.8bn in maritime damages from Japan’s 2011 tsunami.

“Ports are the lifeblood of global trade, but they are also on the frontlines of climate change impact,” said Marika Calfas, TT Club Board Member and CEO of NSW Ports.

The guidance also highlights opportunities to improve resilience through technology and sustainable infrastructure. Real-time climate data, IoT monitoring and AI-driven predictive analytics can enhance asset performance, reduce downtime and strengthen emergency preparedness, it notes.

Further, investments in renewable energy and natural barriers, such as mangroves, can protect assets while supporting decarbonisation goals.

Commenting on the findings Neil Dalus, risk assessment manager at TT Club, added: “Climate change is no longer a distant challenge – it is a pressing operational reality.”

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