The Algeciras Bay Port Innovation Committee held its eighth working meeting at the facilities of the Algeciras Bay Logistics Activities Zone (ZAL), with the Algeciras Bay Business Services Association (AESBA) as host. The meeting, held last October 28, provided an opportunity to examine the role of innovation in the strategy of the Algeciras Bay Port Authority (APBA), learn about five technology projects developed in the port environment, and review the activities of the Digital Entrepreneurship Center in Port Logistics.
AESBA President José Antonio Fernández explained the association’s work to participants and its role as a representative of the shared interests of companies in the sector. In his remarks, he discussed relations between the business community and institutions, as well as collaboration, training, talent attraction, and innovation initiatives linked to economic activity in Algeciras Bay.
The meeting included a review of the Committee’s activities during 2026, focused on sharing knowledge and identifying technology solutions applicable to logistics and port operations. This body brings together companies, technology consultants, university representatives, and startups in an open innovation model designed to foster collaboration among the various participants in the port ecosystem.
Two new members were also formally added to the Committee during the session: Agsa-Partida Logistics, as a voting member, and Verkada, of the Infinity Group, as an expert advisor.
APBA’s Head of Technology Development and Committee President, Jesús Medina, presented the Port Authority’s main innovation strategy areas and their connection to the new Algeciras Bay Port 2030 Strategic Plan. His presentation addressed the application of technology solutions to the goals of operational excellence, sustainability, digital transformation, and talent development set out in the port’s plans.
One of the working sessions focused on presenting five projects under the heading “Innovations made in Algeciras,” with applications in areas such as traffic management, security, data processing, and the digitization of operations.
Diego Souto, partner at MCValnera, presented the company’s land traffic simulation tools, which have been used in seven studies carried out for the APBA. He also presented a solution for the digital and predictive management of the MARPOL service.
Claudia Ariza, Data & AI Product Manager at NextPort, presented the features of the technology and data platform developed in Algeciras for the State Ports EU ETS Observatory, which is related to monitoring the European emissions trading system.
On cybersecurity, Francisco Clemente and Marcos Rodrigo, CEO and Head of Security at OnNet Center, respectively, explained the process the company followed to obtain certification under the National Security Scheme (ENS) at the medium category level and the organizational changes associated with compliance.
The digitization of Operation Strait Passage (OPE) 2026 was also among the presentations. Salvador León, Head of the APBA’s Digital Transformation and Innovation Division, reviewed the technology solutions used during the campaign, including the land-based PMS system for managing embarkations, VTSWeb, and automated vehicle-counting tools using computer vision.
The fifth project was presented by Satinel System. Its Product Manager, Pedro Gallego, presented the capabilities of the company’s Maritime Security Intelligence Platform and its potential applications in logistics and port activities.
The second part of the meeting was devoted to the Algeciras Port Digital Entrepreneurship Center, which specializes in port logistics and is associated with the Andalusian Regional Government and the Misión Andalucía initiative. Participants learned about the center’s current activities and several business proposals included in its second edition.
Alberto Duro, CEO of Archangelus System, presented the Tritón System, a location and SOS signal device for port workers that uses LoRa technology and can operate without mobile phone coverage.
Salvador Mansilla, Technical Director of ACTISA, presented CYBERCOP, a solution based on autonomous robotics to support port traffic management. Santiago Miranda, CEO of BioAbsoil Solutions, explained how a platform designed for the sustainable management of oil and hydrocarbon spills in port facilities and maritime areas works.
The fourth presentation was given by José Belda, CTO of Chaara App, a technology company based in Ceuta specializing in web and mobile applications and artificial intelligence, who presented its digitization proposals for the sector.
After the presentations, the four startups demonstrated their solutions in a space set up to facilitate direct interaction with companies and the other members of the Committee.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to review the status of proposals put forward by the APBA and companies in its network for the fourth call for Ideas and Commercial Projects under the Puertos 4.0 Fund, managed by State Ports. Participants also discussed identifying new operational needs and collaboration opportunities to prepare initiatives for the fund’s fourth call for Pre-Commercial Projects.
The Algeciras Technology Campus Foundation (FCTA) took part in the final part of the event through presentations by Cristina Serrano and Manuel Garnica, who introduced two calls related to research and innovation: the RH2EDIN Challenge 2026, focused on industrial decarbonization, and the 11th FCTA R&D&I Awards, recognizing projects in the business, university, and entrepreneurship sectors.
The Committee’s eighth meeting concluded with a gathering of representatives from port community companies, technology consultants, startups, and entrepreneurs, providing an opportunity to exchange experiences and establish contacts among participants.
