Title: Climate Risk Case Study – Ports – Colombia

Language: English

Type: Document

Nature: Case Study

Published: December 19, 2019


Region: Latin America and Caribbean

Country: Colombia

Topic: Climate-Smart

Keywords: Climate Smart

Document Link(s):


Document Summary:

Physical infrastructure at ports and port activities may be highly vulnerable to changes in climate. For instance, the risks could manifest through changes in the level or patterns of shipping, increased flooding affecting movements within ports and causing damage to goods stored, reduced navigability of access channels and business interruption. Some ports will also see opportunities as a result of climate change. A port’s reputation for reliability is key to its success, so ports that are more resilient to disruption from climate events should fare better. Changes in trade flows driven by climate change will also see winners and losers. 

To understand the significance of these risks for a given port, this study assesses risks and opportunities for ports in general, and specifically for IFC’s client, Terminal Marítimo Muelles el Bosque (MEB), in Cartagena, Colombia.


Document Details:

Physical infrastructure at ports and port activities may be highly vulnerable to changes in climate. For instance, the risks could manifest through changes in the level or patterns of shipping, increased flooding affecting movements within ports and causing damage to goods stored, reduced navigability of access channels and business interruption. Some ports will also see opportunities as a result of climate change. A port’s reputation for reliability is key to its success, so ports that are more resilient to disruption from climate events should fare better. Changes in trade flows driven by climate change will also see winners and losers. 

To understand the significance of these risks for a given port, this study assesses risks and opportunities for ports in general, and specifically for IFC’s client, Terminal Marítimo Muelles el Bosque (MEB), in Cartagena, Colombia.


Updated: October 25, 2021