Portugal Blue Digital Hub

Portugal Blue Digital Hub

This project aims at advancing the digitalization of Portugal’s blue economy sector. By fostering innovation and digital adoption among SMEs and public entities, the project seeks to improve interoperability between businesses, stimulate entrepreneurship, and attract foreign investment. With a strong focus on artificial intelligence (AI), PBDH also addresses the simplification of data access and digitalization of public services in the maritime domain.

PBDH has three strategic objectives:

1. Enabling "test before invest" opportunities to assess digital solutions before full implementation.
2. Enhancing the blue economy ecosystem by attracting investments and fostering innovation.
3. Developing digital competencies and training programs to support the digital transition in the maritime cluster.

The initiative centers on providing eight key groups of digital services:

• Ecosystemic and environmental management tools for the blue economy.
• Prototyping services, including digital simulation and additive manufacturing.
• Data interoperability services, including adherence to European and international standards.
• Data science and analytics for process optimization and market intelligence.
• ESG-focused monitoring and impact measurement tools for investments.
• Acceleration services for digital blue economy SMEs (startups and scale-ups).
• Business intelligence services for export markets and consumer profiling.
• Digital training and skills development for professionals in the maritime sector.

Through these comprehensive offerings, PBDH aims to establish Portugal as a leader in blue economy innovation and sustainability.

Partnership: Fórum Oceano – Associação da Economia do Mar (coordinator), Associação para o Desenvolvimento do Atlantic International Research Centre, CIIMAR – Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, DGRM – Direção-Geral de Recursos Naturais, Segurança e Serviços Marítimos, ENIDH – Escola Superior Náutica Infante D. Henrique, INESC TEC – Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores, Tecnologia e Ciência, INOVA-RIA – Associação de Empresas para uma Rede de Inovação em Aveiro, Instituto de Soldadura e Qualidade, Instituto Hidrográfico, Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, Magellan Circle – European Affairs Consultancy, Lda., Sines Tecnopolo – Associação Centro de Incubação de Empresas de Base Tecnológica Vasco da Gama, Startup Madeira – More Than Ideas, Lda., Universidade de Aveiro, Wildtriumphs, Lda., Yacooba Labs – Turismo, Lazer e Criatividade, Lda. and NOVA IMS.

Within the PBDH project, NOVA IMS brings its expertise in data science, big data, and AI to several critical components. Specific contributions include:

• Data Analysis and Modeling: NOVA IMS designs and implements advanced analytical frameworks to optimize industrial processes and improve environmental efficiency within the blue economy.
• Market Intelligence and Consumer Profiling: The school contributes to developing data mining and business intelligence solutions for export market analysis and consumer behavior prediction.
• Training Programs: NOVA IMS leads efforts to deliver advanced digital skills training, ensuring that blue economy professionals are equipped with cutting-edge knowledge in areas such as AI, IoT, and robotics.
• ESG Investment Monitoring: The institution develops tools to measure and evaluate the impact of investments based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.

These contributions align with NOVA IMS’s strategic goals of leveraging data-driven insights and fostering sustainable digital transformation.

Funding programme: IAPMEI - Agência para a Competitividade e Inovação, I.P., within the framework of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) in Portugal and aligned with the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).

Funding to NOVA IMS: €109 805.80

Duration: 2023 - 2025