Trade Sustainability
Since the dawn of our history, trade has always been the main lever for the development of society. The exchange of goods (often coming from all four corners of the earth) has allowed us to evolve thanks to the discovery of new foods, materials and technologies with which we have innovated and transformed our way of life.

In recent decades, globalization and the digitalization of purchasing processes have led to the boom in global trade and logistics as well as the industries that support it such as infrastructures, transport and logistics. But, at the same time, the energy consumption, the waste generated, and the impact on the environment have risen, putting the sustainability of the planet's resources at risk forever. Dealing with this threat is of the utmost importance both for the industry and for society. Therefore, it is time to use innovation to transform business and the logistic processes, to make them more rational, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
What is TradeTech?
The TradeTech concept encompasses any technology or innovative solution allowing the transformation of any of the businesses or operations related to trade activities and logistics such as freight transport, passenger and vehicles transport, distribution, storage and logistics, security and protection, construction and maintenance of infrastructure and logistics assets, and even tourism, recreation and fishing.

By way of example, some of the TradeTech solutions, that are currently transforming these processes, are the application of new construction materials, autonomous vehicles and the automation of operations. Also crucial in this framework are intelligent infrastructures by applying 'the internet of things', and the analysis of data and artificial intelligence augmented reality and the use of blockchain for the certification and digitalization of processes.
An opportunity for the entrepreneurial community
So far, the maritime industry is characterized as being a very consolidated sector that presents high barriers to entry. However, due to its intrinsic nature of transcending horizons and discovering new worlds, the shipping industry has always been at the forefront of industry developments over time. Therefore, the technological disruption that we are currently experiencing needs to turn its attention to the maritime industry to ensure that it does not fall behind.

Tradetech is a great opportunity, but successful innovation depends mainly on the startups and large corporations having access to an industry that, due to its barriers to entry, cannot be "closed" to the rest of the world. The Ports 4.0 fund provides the capital, training and the right partners for innovation in the ports-logistics sector.
Encompassed within Tradetech and having an impact on the ports or logistics sector, are, among others, the processes related to the following activities
Transport of goods
Transport of passengers and their vehicles
Tourism and recreation
Additional activities of logistics, storage, etc
Security and protection
Environmental sustainability and energy
Logistical efficiency in infrastructural, operational or service delivery areas
  • The automation and robotization of operations in Port or Ferro-port terminals (in any of its subsystems), as well as autonomous driving systems, may have a significant impact on port operations.
  • Unmanned vehicles: boats, rolling stock in terminals, land transport.
  • "Efficient" or "smart" infrastructures or facilities: new materials and designs, monitoring as a basis for the optimization of predictive maintenance.
  • Infrastructures, facilities or services that help with the mobility of the disabled
  • Infrastructures, facilities or services that actively contribute to adequate attention regarding passengers and their luggage.
  • Infrastructures, facilities or services that contribute to the improvement ofoperations and the management of border control and inspection centres (goods and passengers).
  • Infrastructures or services that contribute to the improvement of the operation and management of fishing facilities
  • Promotion and strengthening of multimodal transport.
  • Integration of real data and forecasting of the physical environment in those processes aimed at improving the logistics chain and the risk reduction efficiency
  • Sensorization of port operations and the logistics chain.
  • Maritime and land traffic control systems.
  • Traceability systems in the logistics chain
Environmental sustainability and energy
  • Equipment associated with the delivery of eco-efficient port and commercial services from an environmental perspective
  • Equipment, facilities or services that contribute to reducing the carbon footprint, emissions, noise and improving water quality.
  • Equipment, facilities or services that contribute to the circular economy (recycling of waste, treatment of material from dredging, wastewater, etc.).
  • Equipment, facilities or services that contribute to the production or efficient management of energy in ports.
  • Preventive and anti-pollution equipment, facilities or services.
  • Equipment, facilities and services that encourage the use of alternative fuels (LNG, etc.).
Security and protection
  • Products (systems, devices, facilities, equipment or services) of early warning systems, detection or remediation of emergencies.
  • Remote sensing products on land, sea or air, as well as related to intrusion or passenger and cargo flows.
  • Optimization systems for physical or digital risk management (cyber security).
  • Automation of checks and controls
Digitalization of processes and smart platforms
  • Digital platforms for management and data exchange between agents of the port-logistic community (extension or evolution of current single-window systems, management of services such as DUEPORT, PCS, INTEGRA, single-window/ single-stop customs etc.)
  • Smart port systems and ce-creator of added value.
  • Digital integration with other transport modes (freight / passenger streams, mobile material streams, service currents).
  • Registration and digital integration with other sectors: "big data", internet of things, etc.
  • Inclusive processes of registration and assurance of the reliability and transparency of information ("block chain", etc.).
  • Digital enablers Info-connected port.
  • Products that contribute to the economy 4.0
  • Puerto info-conectado.
  • Productos que contribuyen a la economía 4.0.
Any other process or innovative product which impacts the port sector
Loading animation