Marina Port Valencia presented this Tuesday the Chair of the Sea: Center for Innovation in New Technologies and Marine Environment, a pioneering initiative that aims to place Valencia at the forefront of European innovation applied to the maritime environment. The agreement, signed in the historic Clock Building, was attended by representatives from the academic, scientific, business and port sectors.
The new chair was created thanks to the alliance between Marina Port Valencia, the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), the University of Alicante (UA) and the Port Authority of Valencia (APV). Its objective: to turn the Mediterranean into a living laboratory of sustainability, digitalization and technological development, reinforcing the marina’s commitment to an environmentally friendly management model.
A key boost for the renovation of Marina Port Valencia
The initiative is part of the ambitious transformation project of Marina Port Valencia, which envisions an integrated space between port and city with innovation areas, coworking spaces, leisure and restaurant areas and an open slipway. With this, Valencia seeks to consolidate its position as a nautical destination of international reference and as an example of maritime sustainability.
The event featured speeches by Patrick Reynés, CEO of Marina Port Valencia; Elena de la Poza, Vice Chancellor of the UPV; Juan Llopis, Director of Institutional Relations of the UA; and the co-directors of the Chair, Jaime Lloret and César Bordehore. Luis Fernando Sánchez Villena, head of Public Domain of the APV, was in charge of the closing ceremony.
Research, education and protection of the sea
The Chair of the Sea will work on key projects for the nautical sector and the maritime ecosystem, with lines such as:
-
Decarbonization of the nautical sector
-
Technological innovation applied to the sea, including sensors capable of measuring in real time parameters such as pH, hydrocarbons or currents.
-
Blue economy and smart waste management
-
Environmental education and social awareness
-
Ecological restoration to recover marine and terrestrial biodiversity
In its first years, the Chair will produce a map of sustainable initiatives in Mediterranean marinas, a technical report on decarbonization, training programs for professionals in the sector and a manual of best practices for public access.
The scientific team will be led by Jaime Lloret (UPV), an expert in digitalization and marine telecommunications, and César Bordehore (UA), a reference in marine ecology. Researchers from the Oceanogràfic and specialists in biodiversity, blue economy and complex systems will also participate.
A closing with added social value
The day concluded with a cocktail served by Gourmet Catering with the collaboration of Asindown, incorporating a social dimension that reinforces the inclusive and responsible nature of the initiative.
With the launch of the Chair of the Sea, Valencia takes a decisive step towards a model of sustainable innovation, positioning itself as a benchmark in marine research and protection of the Mediterranean.
