The Port of Algeciras Bay Innovation Committee held a new working session last Wednesday, 28 October, with the aim of reflecting on the strategic dimension of innovation at the Port of Algeciras Bay, presenting new innovative projects “made in Algeciras” following the success of the previous session, and providing an update on the activities of the Port of Algeciras Digital Entrepreneurship Centre for Port Logistics.
The meeting took place at the Algeciras Bay Logistics Activities Zone (ZAL), with AESBA as host. This gave attendees the opportunity to learn first-hand, in the words of José Antonio Fernández, President of the organisation, about its role in representing and defending the sector’s common interests, acting as a meeting point between companies and institutions, and promoting collaboration, training, talent and innovation to contribute to the development and strengthening of the sector in general and the Bay of Algeciras in particular.
The session began with an update on the Committee’s activities during the current year, highlighting, based on the experience shared by its members, how this working forum is fostering knowledge sharing, identifying applied innovation solutions with an impact on the logistics and port business of the Port of Algeciras Bay (PBA), and creating an open innovation model that enables connections between companies, technology advisors, universities and start-ups, helping to build a sense of Innovation Community. The Committee also welcomed its new members: Agsa-Partida Logistics, as a Committee Member, and Verkada (Infinity Group), as an Expert Advisor.
Next, Jesús Medina, Head of the Technology Development Area at APBA and Chairman of the Committee, addressed the APBA’s strategic vision for innovation, focusing on how innovation should contribute directly to the Port’s strategic objectives and, specifically, to the new 2030 Strategic Plan. The presentation helped connect the Committee’s activities with a broader vision in which operational excellence, sustainability, talent and digital transformation come together to continue evolving towards a Next-Generation Port and strengthen the position of the Port of Algeciras Bay as an international benchmark in innovation and technology.
The session then moved on to the “Innovations made in Algeciras” section, featuring five new high-impact projects developed within our ecosystem. First, Diego Souto, partner at MCValnera, presented its road traffic simulation tools, already applied in seven studies for APBA, as well as its solutions for the digital and predictive management of MARPOL services. Next, Claudia Ariza, Data & AI Product Manager at NextPort, presented the technology and data platform developed in Algeciras for Puertos del Estado’s EU ETS Observatory. Francisco Clemente and Marcos Rodrigo, CEO and Head of Security at OnNet Center, then shared their success story in obtaining medium-level certification under Spain’s National Security Framework (ENS), explaining how the process has changed the way they work and enabled them to contribute to a more secure port ecosystem. Salvador León, Head of the Digital Transformation and Innovation Division at APBA, reviewed the key features of OPE 2026, the most technologically advanced and innovative edition to date, including solutions such as the landside PMS for boarding management, VTSWeb and AI-powered automatic vehicle counting. Finally, Pedro Gallego, Product Manager at Satinel System, presented the technological capabilities of its Maritime Security Intelligence Platform and the potential to develop use cases for the port and logistics ecosystem.
In the field of open innovation and digital entrepreneurship, an update was provided on the Port of Algeciras Digital Entrepreneurship Centre, focused on port logistics and promoted by the Regional Government of Andalusia and the Misión Andalucía initiative, while several start-ups participating in its second edition were also presented. In particular, Alberto Duro, CEO of Archangelus System, presented the Tritón System, a tracking and SOS device for port workers that operates without mobile coverage thanks to LoRa technology. Salvador Mansilla, Technical Director at ACTISA, presented CYBERCOP, an autonomous robotics solution designed to support port traffic management. Santiago Miranda, CEO of BioAbsoil Solutions, presented its platform for the sustainable management of oil and hydrocarbon spills in port and maritime environments. Finally, José Belda, CTO of Chaara App, a Ceuta-based software development company specialising in web and mobile applications and artificial intelligence, shared its proposal for digital solutions for the sector. Following the presentations, the start-ups showcased their solutions in the demo area, encouraging direct interaction with Committee members.
The status of the proposals mobilised by APBA and its ecosystem, including those endorsed by the Committee itself, was then reviewed within the framework of the 4th Call for Commercial Ideas and Projects of the Ports 4.0 Fund, promoted by Puertos del Estado. Participants were also encouraged to identify current business challenges and collaborate on defining proposals for the Fund’s 4th Call for Pre-Commercial Projects. The session concluded with a presentation by Cristina Serrano and Manuel Garnica, from the Algeciras Technology Campus Foundation (FCTA), who presented their latest award and funding calls: the RH2EDIN Challenge 2026, an open innovation challenge focused on industrial defossilisation, and the 11th FCTA R&D&I Awards, which recognise innovative projects in the business, academic and entrepreneurial fields.
To close the event, attendees enjoyed a cocktail networking session that encouraged the exchange of ideas and experiences among Port Community companies, start-ups, advisors and entrepreneurs, strengthening synergies and the shared commitment to collaborative innovation at the Port of Algeciras Bay.
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