1st Edition of the “Algeciras BrainPort” Award for Best Master’s Degree Dissertation

8 April, 2019

APBA and the Algeciras Technological Campus Foundation (FCTA) presented the first “Algeciras BrainPort” Awards for port innovation at a ceremony held at FCTA’s RD&I Building in Algeciras in April last, to reward the best Master’s Dissertation from a selection of works submitted by various universities throughout 2018.  Its aim is to promote applied research and innovation in the port-logistics and maritime field carried out in the context of the Port of Algeciras Bay.

The special awards committee that was set up to represent the University of Cadiz (UCA), FCTA and APBA decided that the winner of the first edition should go to Mr. Ignacio Serra Viedma from the Polytechnic-University of Valencia’s (UPV) Civil Engineering Department for his dissertation entitled “Study on the Efficiency Improvement of a Container Terminal through Automation: Applied at MSC Terminal at Valencia”.

His work was focused on analysing exactly how automation (or semi-automation) may improve the efficiency of container terminals, and what alternatives or levels of automation – both at a technical and a financial level – would be advisable for brownfield container terminals that need to increase their storage space or productivity.

During the ceremony, honorary diplomas were also awarded to the three runners-up: Mr. Ignacio Fernandez de Bobadilla Hildebrandt – from the Polytechnic of Algeciras (UCA) – for his work on the “Study of Wave Propagation and Vertical Sea Wall Calculus: A Review of the Port of Algeciras Detached Breakwater”; to Ms. Blanca Jimenez Navas – from UCA’s Master’s Degree in Port-Logistics Management – for her work on the “Estimation of the Ceuta & Tanger-Med Line Ferry Fleet Numbers”; and to Mr. Alejo Parejo Cote – also from UCA’s Master’s Degree in Port-Logistics Management – for his dissertation on “Electronic Data Interchange: the Relationship between Container Terminals and their Clients – a Public Container Terminal at Algeciras”.

The main prize – an award of €1,200 and a six-month salaried internship at APBA – was presented by Ms. Rosa Rodriguez Cano, FCTA’s Manager, and Mr. Eduardo Villalba, APBA’s Board Secretary.