The APICE project (Common Mediterranean strategy and local practical Actions for the mitigation of Port, Industries and Cities Emissions) develops a knowledge-based approach for air pollution mitigation and sustainable development of port activities. The project analysis is focused on how harbour emission sources contribute to PM concentrations, with particular attention to the PM2.5 fraction. The object is to addresses common strategies and local interventions to support the development of coast management policies through a intersectorial approach that assumes the impact of each air-pollution sources, and related mitigation measures, as driver to curb emissions while allowing durable economic growth and health benefits. APICE involves 5 harbour cities of the Northern Mediterranean seacoast: Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Venice and Thessaloniki. The partnership of the project is composed by both scientific and institutional partners for each area.