The innovation hubs of the ports of Halifax, Hamburg and Valencia are in discussions about the creation of a global network of port innovation hubs.
The announcement of this new initiative took place during the Port Entrepreneurship International Congress, held as part of the recent Valencia Digital Summit.
The aim of this project is to become a global alliance of port innovators. It is looking to develop a clear focus of driving the adoption of innovation in the global port system by connecting communities of innovation centres, including start-ups, entrepreneurs, companies, researchers, universities, and investors, to share innovative ideas, project results, innovation experiences, methodologies and best practices.
Antonio Torregrosa, CEO of the Valenciaport Foundation, explains: “This kind of initiative has the potential to leverage the existing capabilities of innovation hubs globally, offering test spaces in the ports of the network’s innovation hubs, workspaces and collaborative platforms to be used as technology testbeds for members and partners from other hubs in the network.”
Michael Davie, Vice President of Operations and Technology at the Port of Halifax, adds: “The connection of the three hubs will bring additional international perspective to each of the hubs and their members. This will allow us to think more globally and have a greater understanding of international culture, ideas and solutions to complex problems that would benefit start-up projects at the local level and expand existing capabilities for technology testing and demonstrations.”
The three innovation hubs are now entering the last phase of the network design and the initiative is expected to be officially launched “in the coming months.”
