Ports under growing pressure to adapt to the energy transition, as cleaner shipping, new fuels and changing regulations reshape maritime trade.
The maritime sector accounts for about 2% of global energy consumption, with almost all ship fuel still coming from fossil sources. Port operations produce a smaller share of emissions but play a critical role in enabling cleaner shipping.
For UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the transition is not only an environmental priority. It also brings economic, health and social benefits – helping ports secure a more competitive and sustainable future while strengthening their role as engines of global trade.
Training future-ready port communities
UNCTAD’s TrainForTrade programme has introduced a new online course on Energy Transition in Ports (ETP). The course covers methodologies, technologies, case studies and best practices to help port communities develop lower-emission operations.
The first edition of the ETP course, delivered in Spanish between April and June 2026, brought together 544 participants from 31 countries, with women representing 47% of the cohort.
“This training shows that sustainability should not be seen only as an environmental obligation, but as a core element of planning, governance and decision-making in ports,” said Sandra Asanza, a participant from Ecuador.
She said the course helped participants focus on practical steps, from measuring emissions to identifying energy-efficiency opportunities and improving coordination across port communities.
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