To address the lack of testing areas in an environment relevant to the development of ocean technologies in Portugal is the main objective of the new scientific, technological and innovation infrastructure: the HUB AZUL Leixões (Leixões Blue Hub).
In this sense, there’s a public tender with €4.9M to build this infrastructure on the Logistics Platform of the Port of Leixões. More specifically, the construction of a multipurpose central tank – whose depth can reach 30 meters – which must be completed by September 30, 2025. Companies have 45 days to apply.
The HUB AZUL LEIXÔES – I is an initiative promoted by a group of organisations, led by INESC TEC, which includes the Administration of the Ports of the Douro, Leixões and Viana do Castelo (APDL), the Municipality of Matosinhos, the Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), the Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (INEGI) and Fórum Oceano.
The new HUB AZUL brings together a set of competences in the areas of ocean engineering and blue biotechnology, whose expansion and sharing boosts the development of relevant synergies, fundamental for innovation processes in the ocean sector.
In this sense, the HUB‘s main resources are marine technologies for offshore development; the engineering test of materials and systems (capable of withstanding ocean conditions); the establishment of a biobank of national marine resources and blue biotechnology laboratory; the scientific diving centre; and the promotion of ocean literacy.
The Leixões Blue Hub is supported by public funds from the PRR – Recovery and Resilience Plan.
News, current topics, curiosities and so much more about INESC TEC and its community!
