Port of Huelva - located at UK Coast & Atlantic, Gibraltar in Spain - has joined the DocksTheFuture Network of Excellence with the purpose of teaming up with the most innovative ports willing to promote ideas for the Port of the Future and to achieve their sustainable targets, based on the opportunities deriving from funding programs such as the ones promoted by the Green Deal.
The Spanish Port reaches with its participation to the Network is thus added to other 28 associated entities among port authorities and port-related organisations, including Valencia Port Foundation, Port of Ystad, Port de Barcellona, APDL - Administração dos Portos do Douro, Leixões e Viana do Castelo, Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company, IMDO Irish Ports, Centre-North Tyrrhenian Sea Ports System Authority (Ports of Civitavecchia - Fiumicino - Gaeta), Gijon Port Authority and Porto de Aveiro.
““It is an honor for the Port of Huelva to join this network with the participation of some of the main European ports which address solutions to relevant issues such as the decarbonisation of the transport sector, the development of sustainable and resilient logistics chains, and the development of alternative fuels. Themes on which the Port of Huelva is currently working in its strategy of consolidation as a port of reference in south-west Europe” said Jaime Beltran, Head of Business Development and Commercial Department at Port of Huelva.
“Very glad to have the Port of Huelva into the Network that is continuously growing, working on innovative projects and EU funding for the Port of the Future. Sure, the Port of Huelva is going to effectively contribute to this goal” said Alexio Picco, President at Magellan Circle which is responsible for the technical organization of the Network.
The Network of Excellence aims at speeding up the distribution of practical innovative ideas and best practices, promoting new technologies to innovate the business and the whole port industry, and enriches the dialogue with and among other organisations such as the European Technology Platforms, international associations, and maritime clusters.
Moreover, it is open to cooperation with any organization from maritime and logistics interested in contributing and offers continuous updates on forthcoming calls for proposals, engaging members in the discussion through specific digital channels and platforms such as a dedicated website, news digest and organizing networking digital and physical events with the participation of top-tier experts.
The core topics the network focuses on are:
● Energy efficiency (e.g. cold ironing, smart grid)
● Alternative fuels (e.g. bio-fuels, hydrogen)
● Sustainable and resilient transport infrastructure system
● Emerging technologies and digitalisation across the logistic chain
● Cyber security
● Innovative financing tools
● Multimodal transport
● City-Port relation
● Circular economy
