Braz. political sci. rev.2026;20(2):e0007.
Resilient Port Infrastructure and the Belt and Road Initiative: Climate Adaptation in a Multipolar World
Rafael Ferraz dos Santos
, Victor Hugo Souza de Abreu
, Andrea Souza Santos
DOI: 10.1590/1981-3821202600020007
Abstract
The intensification of climate change-related risks to port infrastructure presents an unprecedented challenge for global logistics systems, particularly in trade corridors linked to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Given the BRI’s extensive reach and influence, this article examines how key ports along the maritime route, including Djibouti, Gwadar, Hambantota, Piraeus, Mombasa, and, more recently, Chancay in Peru, have responded to climate vulnerabilities and adopted adaptive strategies. The central hypothesis is that these ports, due to their strategic relevance in global supply chains, can serve as platforms for building climate alliances that foster alignment between port development and sustainability objectives. Based on a document and exploratory review, our analysis identifies a growing body of scholarly work connecting the BRI to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the socio-environmental and socio-economic implications of such interventions. The recent inauguration of the Port of Chancay in 2024 marks a turning point in South America’s integration into China’s maritime network, signaling a historical shift toward a more multipolar and cooperative global order. In the Brazilian context, bilateral partnerships with China, particularly through the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), reflect the country’s integration into this broader process of logistical reconfiguration and port adaptation in response to climate challenges.
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