UNCTAD advances energy transition training for global port communities
The United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is stepping up efforts to help ports adapt to the energy transition through its TrainForTrade programme, which has launched a new online course on Energy Transition in Ports (ETP). The initiative aims to equip port communities with the tools, methodologies and best practices needed to develop lower-emission operations, according to a press release by UNCTAD. Ports are facing growing pressure to adapt 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 derived from fossil sources. For UNCTAD, the transition brings not only environmental benefits but also economic, health and social gains.
Port operations produce a smaller share of emissions than shipping itself but play a critical role in enabling cleaner maritime trade. UNCTAD frames the energy transition as an opportunity for ports to secure a more competitive and sustainable future. It also strengthens their role as engines of global trade. The new ETP course covers methodologies, technologies, case studies and best practices. It is designed to support port communities in advancing lower-emission operations.
The first edition of the ETP course was delivered in Spanish between April and June 2026. It brought together 544 participants from 31 countries. Women represented 47% of the cohort. The course focused on practical steps, from measuring emissions to identifying energy-efficiency opportunities. It also emphasized improving coordination across port communities.
“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 noted that the course helped participants focus on concrete actions to advance sustainability in their ports. UNCTAD will build on the course with a workshop in Argentina in October 2026. Selected participants will present concrete solutions at the event. They will also share best practices for advancing the energy transition in their ports.
The initiative is part of TrainForTrade’s longstanding Port Management Programme. Since 1996, the programme has trained more than 13,500 port professionals across 183 countries and territories. It supports port communities in improving efficiency and boosting trade flows. The programme also enhances resilience and advances sustainable development. Through these efforts, UNCTAD continues to position ports as central actors in the global energy transition.