Ports and territories in climate transitions: A French operational model for resilient maritime infrastructures

Abstract

Climate change is reshaping maritime infrastructures and requires ports to move beyond isolated asset protection towards more integrated adaptation strategies. This paper examines how climate-change adaptation is operationalised in French commercial ports within the framework of PNACC 3 and the national warming trajectory for adaptation (TRACC). Drawing on recent feedback from Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Martinique, La Réunion and Dunkerque, it shows that ports face multiple interacting hazards, including sea-level rise, marine flooding, intense rainfall, runoff, heat and cyclonic hazards. Adaptation becomes operational through the combination of strategic, organisational and infrastructure-oriented approaches. The comparison highlights four recurrent pillars: multi-hazard diagnosis, combined physical and functional vulnerability, integration into asset management and long-term planning, and recognition of territorial interdependencies.