On 21 and 22 January, the Hub Azul Portugal Network met at Ecomare, a laboratory at the University of Aveiro, to kick off its work for 2025, marking a strategic moment of alignment and reinforcement of its commitment to the Blue Economy and sustainable innovation.
Strategic alignment of the network
The meeting featured a programme focused on structural themes for the development of the network, namely the Governance Model, the Business Model and Digital Platforms, creating a privileged space for knowledge sharing, strategic reflection and collaboration between the different Hubs that make up the Hub Azul Portugal Network.
Knowledge sharing and innovation challenges
One of the highlights of the meeting was the Knowledge Sharing Workshop on the Blue Economy, which brought together representatives from various hubs in the network, highlighting the diversity and complementarity of the Hub Azul ecosystem:
- Hub Azul Leixões 2, through LSTS FEUP (João Galante);
- Hub Azul Aveiro, through the University of Aveiro (Luísa Magalhães and Diana Madeira);
- Hub Azul School, through FOR-MAR (Pedro Matos Pimenta);
- Hub Azul Leixões 1, through APDL (Filipe Martins).
During the workshop, the main challenges for innovation in the port sector were highlighted, as well as opportunities for cooperation between research, training and industry.
Working groups: internationalisation and aquaculture
The meeting also marked the launch of the Internationalisation and Aquaculture Working Groups, with the first meetings dedicated to these two strategic areas. Although distinct, both play a decisive role in strengthening the competitiveness of the Hubs, creating innovative solutions and establishing Portugal as a global benchmark in the Blue Economy.
A kick-off for sustainable growth
This meeting was a real kick-off for the next steps of the Hub Azul Portugal Network in 2025, consolidating a common vision geared towards sustainable growth, cooperation between hubs and strengthening the impact of the Blue Economy on the country’s economic and environmental development.
The Hub Azul Portugal Network thus begins a new year with a solid foundation of collaboration, ambition and innovation, ready to face the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead for the maritime sector in Portugal.