Port accessThe Port of Bilbao has further consolidated its leadership in port innovation following the publication of the provisional resolution of the commercial program of the Ports 4.0 capital fund, promoted by the State Ports Authority / Puertos del Estado. Two projects submitted with the support of the Port of Bilbao have been approved, specifically those of Arrecife Energy Systems and Izurun Technology, covering two key areas in the transformation of the sector such as energy transition and the digitalisation of port asset management.
The project of Arrecife Energy Systems proposes a pioneering solution for generating renewable marine power from wave energy. The system, based on cross-flow turbines, can be easily installed in port infrastructure and provides clean electricity at a competitive cost. Other stand-out features of the system include its scalability and the fact that it is easy to maintain, enabling ports to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to the decarbonisation goals of the maritime transport and logistics community.
For its part, Izurun Technology, in collaboration with Consignaciones Toro y Betolaza, will develop the MyPlantManager (MPM) project, an advanced digital platform for intralogistics asset management. The tool integrates IoT, artificial intelligence, sensorisation and 3D simulation to create a complete digital twin of the port terminal, capable of monitoring cranes, forklifts, reach stackers and other equipment in real time. This system will optimise operations, reduce downtime, extend the useful life of assets and increase operational safety, while offering an interoperable, multi-stakeholder model that is unprecedented in the port sector.
Both projects further strengthen the commitment of the Port of Bilbao and Bilbao PortLab to fostering an environment of open and collaborative innovation, where start-ups, companies, institutions and the port community work together to address the major challenges facing the sector.
The approval of the Arrecife and Izurun projects in the commercial program of Ports 4.0 is proof of the Basque ecosystem’s ability to attract, validate and scale disruptive solutions with a direct impact on the competitiveness, sustainability and digitalisation of ports.
Furthermore, with these two new projects, the Port of Bilbao confirms its role as a leading living lab in the Spanish and European port ecosystem, demonstrating that collaboration between technological innovation and the port community is key to moving towards a more efficient, secure and sustainable model of logistics.
The Ports 4.0 Ideas and Commercial programs are expected to reopen at the end of the year. At Bilbao PortLab, we reiterate our full willingness to provide support throughout the process for those start-ups, companies and entrepreneurial teams wishing to submit their projects, thereby helping to maximise their chances of success.
