Ports, marine and coastal transport is the backbone of international trade and therefore vital to the global economy. Today, 70% of all goods are carried by sea and transit through ports before being transferred to another mode of transportation.

The dominance of global water borne trade, combined with the growth in the cruise and ferry industry, and with increased investment in commercial waterside and energy developments, demonstrate why the modern-day maritime sector is an important driver of local and global economic growth. Challenges are great, with more traffic, bigger ships, and increased integration of transport modes, all happening in a time of climate change and new regulations.

Our team of specialists are dedicated to the planning, design, and construction of port facilities, marine infrastructure, and coastal facilities. We deliver innovative, value-engineered outcomes that have benefited from decades of experience, and a thorough understanding of the challenges and risks that confront this multifaceted sector. We are committed to incorporating environmental characterizations and sustainability principles into every phase of our projects.

With over 300 projects in more than 65 countries successfully completed, WSP provides maritime consultancy services from offices across our global network to its different clients, including port authorities, terminal operating companies, governments, shipping lines, logistics operators, and the wider financial community.

By combining technical, financial, and operational expertise we assist with the commercial decision-making process while minimizing investment risk through the application of in depth sector expertise. For the Panama Canal Expansion, we worked closely with the Canal Authority to develop five models – capability, operation costs, market demand, hydrologic, and financial – in order to maximize the economic value of the Canal. The 100-year-old canal can now accommodate New Panamax vessels, which can transport tens of thousands of containers stacked as tall as a 15-story building.

Container port operators need to adjust to this new reality. To keep up with growth, they need larger cranes, stronger wharves, higher clearances, and deeper channels. The ultimate objective is to decrease handling time, increase productivity, and establish more reliable intermodal logistics.

We are problem solvers and we are thrilled to work on projects that stand out, like Palm Jumeirah, the world's largest manmade island. We assisted the client in creating an environmentally friendly development, tackling issues during the detailed design construction phase, including the recycling of all sewerage waste, and the desalination of drinking water from seawater (reverse osmosis process). The Palm has increased Dubai’s shoreline by 120 kilometers, creating numerous residential, leisure, and entertainment areas.

In Montreal, Canada, we used 3D design and computer modelling to restore the Alexandra Wharf, an important passenger terminal that was built at the end of the 1800s. The project was a must for the city’s growing cruise industry, which is expected to double in the next 10 years.

Across the world, WSP delivers innovative, value-engineered outcomes that have benefited from decades of experience, and a thorough understanding of the challenges and risks that confront this multifaceted sector. We are committed to incorporating environmental characterizations and sustainability principles into every phase of our projects. Our task is to help our clients achieve their objectives.