Organized by the CCI Nice Côte d’Azur, Port Vauban, and Port Gallice, the day allowed for an initial assessment of the project and the sharing of concrete solutions during two round tables focused on water management and biodiversity protection. Facing challenges from tourist traffic, pressure on coastal ecosystems, and drought episodes, Mediterranean ports are collectively seeking to enhance their environmental excellence.
Launched in February 2025 for three years and co-financed by the European program Interreg Italy-France Maritime 2021-2027, the CLEANPORTI project unites eight partners under the leadership of the City of Ajaccio – Port Charles Ornano. The goal is to build a common strategy for ports in the Franco-Italian area, with the dissemination of the European « Clean Ports » certification as a central theme.
The project is structured around three ambitions: a common strategy including environmental pre-diagnostics and territorial action plans; raising awareness among port communities through educational visits and questionnaires; and the transfer of pilot actions, such as the deployment of pollution alert sensors inherited from the QUALIPORTI project and initiatives for depollution or marine nursery creation.
Tangible results already include promising experiments in Corsica and Tuscany. In Ajaccio, Port Charles Ornano highlights its environmental policy. At Porto Torres, a pilot project for monitoring water quality and collecting floating waste is underway. A survey in Olbia revealed strong environmental awareness among users, while Savona and La Spezia have conducted diagnostics and « Port at School » operations. The Province of Livorno emphasized the need for better traceability of water and energy consumption in Portoferraio.
Port Vauban notably presented the results of a depollution operation carried out in August 2026, which removed 31 tons of waste from the outer harbor, including a wreck and engines. Concurrently, the CCI is pursuing pilot actions, including the acquisition of a water quality measurement system and the installation of a speed control radar.
The round table on water and energy addressed the challenge of drought. Solar seawater desalination solutions were presented, such as the reverse osmosis unit at the Port of Bormes-les-Mimosas, which reduced potable water consumption by 40%. At Port Vauban, the EcoBoatWash station uses 92% solar energy for boat washing. The evolution of boaters' behavior was highlighted as essential.
The biodiversity round table demonstrated how port infrastructure can become havens for ecosystems. Port-Fréjus has installed artificial nurseries and monitored species like the blue crab. Beaulieu Plaisance has implemented a terrestrial biodiversity action plan. At Port Gallice, scientific monitoring has revealed colonies of protected coral, and at Port Vauban, work preserved the habitats of two protected gecko species.
By the end of the project, partners will deploy pilot actions, organize a final round table, and sign a sustainable development charter. The long-term goal is to establish a cross-border scheme for green pleasure ports by 2035.
