On 9 June, the Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, in Matosinhos, will host the Portugal Blue Digital Hub National Launch Event, organised by Fórum Oceano. The event will bring together companies, universities, research centres, public bodies, regional organisations, and innovation experts to review the results already achieved by the Portugal Blue Digital Hub and discuss the next steps for accelerating the digitalisation of the blue economy.

The programme will address key structural themes, including ocean data and knowledge platforms, Big Data applied to the ocean, the creation of an integrated biobank catalogue, and the digitalisation of Portugal’s Nautical Stations. Topics such as open innovation, financing, capacity-building, and the role of data in supporting strategic decision-making will also be central to the day’s discussions.

Vanessa Batista, Head of the Administrative and Financial Department, will represent the AIR Centre on the panel “PBDH Initiatives for the Transformation of Ecosystems.” Dedicated to the impact of the Portugal Blue Digital Hub’s key initiatives on the transformation of blue economy ecosystems, the session will cover topics such as open innovation and acceleration programmes, regional impacts, capacity-building, financing and investment, and the importance of data collection and analysis for strategic decision-making. Vanessa will be joined on the panel by representatives from Beta-i, Escola Superior Náutica Infante D. Henrique, Inova-Ria, IPMA, StartUp Madeira, NOVA IMS, Magellan, Universidade de Aveiro, and Sines Tecnopolo.

This gathering marks a step forward in building a more connected and capable ecosystem, where data, knowledge, and technology translate into concrete opportunities for businesses, territories, and communities. Registration is available here, with limited places remaining.

[PC, 8 June 2026]