Navantia Seanergies began its activities at Incubazul, the business incubator of the Cádiz Free Trade Zone, this Wednesday, November 4, with its first Open Innovation Day. The event brought together representatives from the industrial sector, universities, research centers, and startups from the Bay of Cádiz to explore technological cooperation opportunities related to marine energy and the blue economy.
The initiative is part of the collaboration agreement announced last September between Navantia Seanergies and the Cádiz Free Trade Zone, which provides for the establishment of a permanent company space in the Incubazul building. This office will serve as Navantia Seanergies COEX Green Energies' regional innovation hub in western Andalusia and facilitate contact with technology companies, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
The event featured Navantia Seanergies Director Javier Herrador and the State Delegate for the Cádiz Free Trade Zone, Fran González, along with professionals from academia, researchers, faculty, students, and representatives of various companies involved in innovation.
The event presented Navantia Seanergies' industrial capabilities and some of the main technological challenges related to marine renewable energy, green hydrogen, the digitalization of industrial processes, and the development of new solutions applicable to the blue economy.
The program included a roundtable moderated by Sara Oliveira, Head of Navantia Seanergies COEX Green Energies, with contributions from Navantia Seanergies Engineering Director Miriam Terceño and representatives of Bimovador and Blue Twin, Loyola Andalucía University's Loyola Energy, Technology and Sustainability Research Institute, and Digital Shape.
The initiatives presented included solutions for inspecting and maintaining port and underwater infrastructure using digital twins, as well as projects for monitoring and collecting data in marine environments.
Loyola Andalucía University participated with a project to develop autonomous catamarans equipped with sensors for monitoring tasks. Digital Shape, a technology-based company affiliated with the University of Cádiz, presented its capabilities in three-dimensional design and digitalization, simulation, and advanced manufacturing.
The working sessions made it possible to examine potential avenues for cooperation between the participating companies and Navantia Seanergies, including the development of proof-of-concept projects and pilot projects, as well as mechanisms for assessing the application of new technologies in industrial settings.
The collaboration will continue through Navantia Seanergies' permanent office at Incubazul, conceived as a space connecting the industry's technological needs with solutions developed by universities, research centers, and startups.
Under this model, Navantia Seanergies will participate as a lead company, contributing its industrial capabilities and experience in projects related to renewable energy. Incubazul and Blue Core will facilitate access to the Cádiz Free Trade Zone's incubation, acceleration, training, and business advisory programs.
A working group is also planned to coordinate new initiatives among the participating companies, universities, and organizations, with particular attention to technology projects related to the blue economy.
The event took place just days after the fourth edition of the Blue Zone Forum InnovAzul, organized by the Cádiz Free Trade Zone and the University of Cádiz, which brought together more than 2,000 registered attendees. Sara Oliveira took part in the event's Blue Women Forum, dedicated to the role of women in the blue economy.
Incubazul and Blue Core are the two Cádiz Free Trade Zone initiatives aimed at business development in this field. Blue Core is co-financed at 85% by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), under Spain's 2021–2027 Multi-Regional Operational Programme and the Incubators of Advanced Technology program, Viveros 4.0.
