The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) took part in the Innovation Forum for Andalusia and the Alboran Sea’s Marinas and Cruise Ports, held on November 3 at the headquarters of the Port Authority of Málaga. Held under the motto “Seas of opportunity: the driving force behind innovation in maritime tourism,” the meeting brought together institutional representatives, port officials, businesses, and academic professionals to discuss the application of innovation in port operations and its links with tourist destinations.
The event, organized by Suncruise Andalucía y Mar de Alborán and the Port Authority of Málaga, with support from the Andalusian Regional Government, included panel discussions, presentations of technology projects, and the presentation of awards for the fifth edition of the Open Innovation Challenge Prize, an initiative developed in collaboration with espacio_Res.
The Port of Algeciras was represented by Juan Antonio Herrera Salas, Head of Innovation at the APBA, who spoke on the first panel discussion, entitled “Innovation in ports.” The session was moderated by Juan José Sibina Calderón, manager of the Association of Shipping Agents and Port Companies of Málaga (ACEMAR), and also featured José Hernán, Head of Technology at the Port Authority of Huelva.
The meeting examined both port authorities’ experience with technological transformation, as well as the opportunities new digital tools offer to meet operational needs and improve services related to maritime and logistics activities.
In his remarks, Herrera Salas outlined the APBA’s approach, based on viewing innovation as an ongoing, systematic activity, linked to identifying specific needs within the organization and the port community. He explained that this model includes mechanisms for identifying challenges, gathering proposals, and turning them into projects, with input from internal teams, businesses in the port area, and participants in the innovation ecosystem.
The program also explored the relationship between port operations and tourist destinations in a second panel, entitled “Innovation and its interaction with the destination.” Representatives of cruise terminals, tourism institutions, and academic organizations examined how technological tools can connect port services with the tourism offerings of cities that receive cruise ships.
Among the initiatives presented was the Nexus Project, a platform designed to provide analytical and decision-support tools for businesses, professionals, and tourist destinations. Its presentation offered insight into an example of how digital solutions can be applied to the management and planning of tourism-related activities.
Another feature of the event was the fifth edition of the Open Innovation Challenge Prize, presented by Esther Molina Crespo, Managing Director of Suncruise Andalucía y Mar de Alborán. The program establishes a process for identifying needs raised by port authorities and seeking technology proposals developed by businesses and other specialized organizations.
In this edition, the companies Signicat and Sebka Technology won the challenges promoted by the Public Ports Agency of Andalusia and the Port Authority of Almería, respectively. The award-winning solutions focus on secure digital identity in the port environment and on using digital technologies and augmented reality to facilitate interaction between port facilities, cities, and their residents.
The APBA’s participation in the forum provided an opportunity to present the work being carried out by the Port of Algeciras in innovation and learn about projects promoted by other Andalusian port authorities, during an event devoted to sharing experiences and fostering collaboration among public authorities, businesses, and technology stakeholders.
