The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) participated last November 6th and 7th in the 1st edition of the Logistics Innovation Summit that the European Technology Platform ALICE (Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe) held in Brussels.
This event, held on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of ALICE, brought together more than 40 leaders of the logistics and maritime-port sector to discuss the future of logistics and its role in the duality of digital and sustainable transition. During the two days, experts addressed key topics such as European logistics innovation policies, collaboration between logistics clusters for knowledge sharing, the adoption of digital solutions for data management and practical examples of electrification in land transport. The program included keynote lectures, elevator pitches of European projects in which ALICE is involved and panel discussions.
For its part, APBA participated in the panel entitled “Digital transition: leveraging technologies for efficient and zero emissions logistics”, through its Technical Innovation Office (OTI), where it shared its vision on the role of digital transformation, data and collaboration between stakeholders to promote sustainability and efficiency in logistics chains. Representing APBA, Nacho Serra, a member of the OTI, presented alongside Eric Ballot, professor at MINES Paris-PSL; Jon Kuiper, senior advisor to the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure; Marianna Levtov, head of Network & Advocacy at AELER Technologies; Cristina Martín, CEO of USYNCRO; and Evangelos Mitsakis, director of transport research at CERTH/HIT.
Serra himself highlighted during his speech the transformational process being carried out by the Port of Algeciras to become a Business Enabler and an Orchestrator of the Port Ecosystem, in order to boost the efficiency and competitiveness of the flow of goods through its facilities, with innovation and technology as enablers. He also highlighted how APBA’ s digital ambition is enabling the implementation of collaborative digital solutions that promote operational excellence and decarbonization. In particular, he highlighted the organization’s ongoing projects to promoteJust-in-Time(JIT) operations, aimed at reducing waiting and downtime in maritime-port operations, thereby increasing overall efficiency and reducing emissions.
The event brought together more than 150 representatives from various sectors, including the European Commission (DG MOVE and DG Research and Innovation), Port Authorities such as Valencia, logistics operators such as Amazon Logistics, La Poste Groupe and GEODIS, research centers and universities such as TU Delft and Fraunhofer IML, and large retail and manufacturing companies such as Volvo, Scania, IKEA, P&G and L’Oréal.
It should be noted that the ALICE platform, officially launched in 2013, was created to develop a strategy that includes the deployment of research, innovation and implementation in the logistics and supply chain market within Europe in order to achieve a more sustainable and competitive industry.
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