If there was a prize for making a successful transition from the virtual to the real world, then Eldar Astthorsson, Head of Marketing and Communications at Iceland’s Ports of Faxaflói, would be a contender.
Before joining the maritime sector in 2025 Astthorsson worked for more than 14 years at CCP Games, the Icelandic creator of the internationally successful EVE Online space-based role-playing game, where he worked on branding and communications for a global audience.
Now he leads marketing and communications at Ports of Faxaflói, the Icelandic port authority that operates Iceland’s largest port network across Reykjavík, Akranes, Grundartangi and Borgarnes.
Drawing on his international marketing background, Astthorsson leads the international positioning and visibility of Ports of Faxaflói and is helping place Icelandic port innovation – including DOKK – on the international maritime agenda. At Coastlink 2027, he will explore what short-sea shipping can learn from the cruise port-call platform.
What began life as a local operational solution to the familiar challenge of fragmented port-call coordination across separate organisational systems, has now grown into a shared platform connecting ports across Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
DOKK entered operational use in early 2023. Following continued development, version 1.0 – the platform’s first major public release – launched in May 2026. It provides a shared digital environment covering the lifecycle of a cruise port call, from initial request and berth assessment to approval, subsequent changes and departure. DOKK now connects 44 ports and 11 agencies. More than 7,300 cruise calls are recorded in the platform, representing almost eight million estimated passenger movements
Astthorsson’s presentation will share the practical lessons from building this collaboration between independent ports and explore what short-sea shipping and other regional port networks can learn from the experience – including the value of shared data, the importance of local control and the organisational work required to turn a digital platform into shared infrastructure.
Too good to miss? for more information about Coastlink 2027, 14–15 April in Rotterdam, or to book your pass with the Early Bird Discount contact Ellie Minshull at EMinshull@MercatorMedia.com
