Dutch and Colombian participants have played a port game during the economic mission to Colombia in Cartagena, which was led by the Dutch Minister Schultz van Haegen of Infrastructure and the Environment.
The game is a part of the Port of the Future project, a green port concept that Deltares has developed in conjunction with IMARES, and the Dutch government is supporting application in Colombia. The consortium partners on the Port of the Future project also include WWF, Boskalis, Royal HaskoningDHV and Technical University Delft and VU IVM.
The aim of the Port of the Future project is, in addition to optimizing port design, to strike a balance between preserving the environment and safeguarding economic efficiency in shipping, port activities and port services.
Dr. Cor Schipper , an expert on sustainable port development and project leader of the Port of the Future Serious Game received enthusiastic reactions in Colombia.
“ The Port of the Future Serious Game raises awareness of port authorities and policy makers in a realistic surrounding. It shows opportunities to incorporate sustainable aspects in port development, learning to work with uncertainties during operations and addresses possible cost savings through reduced maintenance cost on the short to long term of 20 years. ”
The game concept can be used not only for new port developments but also for port expansion.