The Port of Barcelona, in collaboration with Tech Barcelona, has inaugurated BlueTechPort, a strategic space located at Pier 1 of the Port Vell. The main objective of this “hub” is to promote the Blue Economy, concentrating companies linked to the port, logistics and blue tourism sectors.
The initiative seeks to position Barcelona as a European and international benchmark in the blue economy, covering areas such as underwater robotics, artificial intelligence applied to the marine environment, recovery of marine biodiversity and development of pharmaceutical components based on marine products.
Lluís Salvadó, president of the port, expressed the ambition to turn the Catalan capital into a leading center for the blue economy. This innovative project joins other recent initiatives, such as the opening of the World Ocean Council headquarters and the launch of the Fundació BCN Port Innovation.
BlueTechPort is expected to host around ten companies, thus contributing to the strengthening of the innovation ecosystem in the region.
Miquel Martí, executive director of Tech Barcelona, highlighted the importance of this milestone, underlining that, in its ten years of existence, the organization has strengthened the innovative fabric with more than 1,300 organizations.
The blue economy is presented as a new growth engine, with health, biotechnology and sustainability driven by the sea. Marti anticipates that the America’s Cup will play a key role in promoting technology and sustainability in the region.
The America’s Cup, scheduled for next year, will be a catalyst for technological development and sustainability in the city. Martí described the partnership with the Port as a beacon for technology, and expects the BlueTechPort space to be a significant legacy for Barcelona, contributing to economic growth and innovation in Port Vell.
Next steps and developments in the Blue Economy framework
The BlueTechPort project is not just an isolated milestone; it is part of a broader vision for the development of the Port of Barcelona. The second phase, already planned, involves the rehabilitation and adaptation of the San Bertran sheds to house more companies related to the blue economy.
This additional step is scheduled for after the America’s Cup and is expected to affect 20,000 square meters, with an estimated investment of 50 million euros.
It is important to note that the America’s Cup not only has a sporting and technological impact, but also a significant economic repercussion.
The administrations have invested in this project aware of its potential, and although the main competition will take place between August and October next year, this 2023 will already see two preliminary regattas in Vilanova i la Geltrú (Barcelona) and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).
With BlueTechPort Barcelona is laying the foundations to become a world reference in the Blue Economy.
