Portathon 2024 joins forces with EU-CONEXUS  

EU-CONEXUS has engaged in a partnership with the international port technology hackathon Portathon 2024. Empowering collaboration between science, maritime businesses and port authorities, and fostering an innovation ecosystem, Portathon offers new opportunities to apply a scientific approach towards smart urban coastal sustainability.  

All EU-CONEXUS students and academic communities are invited to get involved in a 48-hour hackathon on 27-29 September in Klaipėda (Lithuania) or via an online platform. During an inspiring weekend, teams will develop innovative technological and digital solutions tackling sustainable ports, port cities and ecosystems, the maritime industry, logistics and energy challenges.  

“Last year, our experience at Portathon was emotionally charged, thanks to the enthusiastic foreign students who shared their joy with us. We are delighted to share these feelings and values and hope to inspire any student to participate in this contest. Our young UTCB team presented innovative ideas for the challenges posed, and as a mentor, I had an outstanding experience offering guidance to all the participating teams. The contest was a wonderful opportunity for the team to surpass its limits in difficult situations, and we eagerly look forward to participating again this year, aiming for the prizes,” said PhD Ramona-Oana Flangea of the Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest.  

Initiated in Lithuania by the Klaipėda Science and Technology Park in collaboration with the Lithuanian Maritime Cluster and long-term partners, Portathon offers a unique space to establish cooperation with members the of European ports’ ecosystem, set up a base for the young talents‘ future careers. Furthermore, the most successful teams after previous Portathons were invited by port companies to finalise their ideas, create prototypes, or join the companies. 

Participants are guided by an international team of mentors, joined each year by over 20 experts in a wide range of fields. One of them is Associate Professor Audrius Senulis, the Head of the Engineering Department at the Faculty of Marine Technologies and Natural Sciences of Klaipėda University, researcher at the Marine Research Institute of KU, who has mentored at every single Portathon.  

„In the beginning, the hackathon was more about industry solutions but, through the years, it transformed and is now dedicated to creating solutions for port challenges. Also, it has evolved from a local event to an international one, attracting participants from all over the world. The global pandemic also had an impact – Portathon became a hybrid event, as more participants from abroad had a chance to get involved online. Though in my opinion, the true Portathon spirit emerges in the live event, when you see other teams, generate ideas, make contacts, sleep, eat, meet new friends, and propose the solutions,“ Assoc. Prof. Senulis shared his extensive experience at numerous Portathons.   

He added, that the topics also expanded, starting from more technical, and as the world and technologies constantly evolve, the challenges strive towards IT solutions, cybersecurity, and AI applications. 

Every year, Portathon attracts around 100 innovators from the Baltic Sea countries, other European countries and even other continents. The organisers encourage both teams and individuals to register. According to them, the most successful teams are those formed of representatives with backgrounds in different sectors.   

This year, Portathon is co-funded by the international Blue Supply Chains project and will seek to respond to the challenges of creating and developing sustainable supply chains in the Baltic Sea Region. 

REGISTRATION: 

Participants & teams: https://bit.ly/Portathon2024Participants  

Mentors: https://bit.ly/Portathon2024Mentors  

More about Portathon: www.kmtp.lt/portathon/ 

Co-funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme, the Blue Supply Chains project is helping to drive the transition towards a green and resilient Baltic Sea Region. For more information see https://interreg-baltic.eu/project/bluesupplychains/.