On Thursday, 25 September, the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) hosted a technical visit as part of the European SaferSEA project, co-financed by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme 2021-2027, in which it participates as an Associate Partner.
The event, aimed at project partners, began with a welcome address by Salvador León, Head of the Digital Transformation and Innovation Division at the APBA. During his speech, he highlighted the strategic role of the Port of Algeciras as an international maritime gateway in southern Europe and contextualised the project in relation to the APBA’s Innovation Strategy, particularly with regard to its focus on sustainability and climate neutrality.
Next, Nacho Serra, a member of the APBA Technical Innovation Office, presented various innovation projects developed by the port in the areas of maritime safety and emissions monitoring. Subsequently, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, the leading entity in the SaferSEA project, presented the current status and upcoming milestones of the project through its Project Manager, Morgane Le Meur. The technology companies and start-ups that responded to the Open Innovation Call, launched to address the innovation challenges posed by the APBA, were also presented. Among the challenges jointly defined by the APBA’s Sustainable Development and Technological Development departments are: (1) Decarbonising port activity and mitigating gas emissions to combat climate change and improve air quality; (2) Early detection of oil and wastewater spills; and (3) Development of an innovative spill clean-up system.
The day continued with a guided tour of the Port of Algeciras facilities, where attendees were able to see first-hand the logistics and port activity of the Algeciras multimodal hub.
The meeting concluded at the Port of Algeciras Digital Logistics Entrepreneurship Centre, where Marina Cobos and Cristina González, coordinators of the APBA Green Office, presented the organisation’s Green Strategy in detail. Raquel Carmona, coordinator of the Entrepreneurship Centre, outlined the services and spaces promoted as part of the Mission Andalusia initiative, as well as the start-ups participating in the programme.
It should be noted that the SaferSEA project aims to promote technological development and innovation in the fields of marine pollution, maritime protection and decarbonisation, by connecting business with the research and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Led by Technopôle Brest-Iroise, the consortium is made up of CEEI Bahía de Cádiz, the French centre Cedre specialising in marine pollution, the Polytechnic University of Porto (UPTEC) and Sines Tecnopolo in Portugal, and the AxisBIC entrepreneurship centre in Ireland. Associate partners include the APBA, Brest Métropole, the Port and Logistics Community of Sines and the Intermunicipal Community of Alentejo Litoral.
All information about the project is available at the following link.
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