EU Funding helps Ports plot new course
Ports Adapting to Change
The future of European small/medium size ports will depend on their ability to adapt infrastructure and management capacity, whilst embracing innovative, resource-efficient technologies and processes.
The Ports of Oostende, Zeebrugge, Calais, Portsmouth, Ramsgate, Newhaven, Zeeland, with East Sussex County Council and the South East England Regional Development Agency, have been working since 2008 to help the participating port partners rise to this challenge through the PATCH (Ports Adapting To CHange) cross-border cooperation project - a €9 million scheme supported by EU funding through the Interreg IVA 2 Seas Programme, showcased at Seawork 2011 .
In this context, ports need to be connected effectively with the wider marine industry and innovative activities beyond, in order to harness potential opportunities and promote growth.
At Seawork 2011, PATCH presented a series of its achievements, including: a seawater heating and flushing system at the new Portsmouth International terminal building; dynamic freight and passenger flow signage in Calais; a port waste to energy scheme in the Port of Ternuzen; and an investment in Ramsgate Harbour, which enabled it to host its growing fleet of offshore wind farm vessels that maintain the London Array and Thanet Offshore windfarms.
PATCH is preparing exciting plans for an exhibition of its most innovative achievements at SEAWORK 2012 and will host a closing conference that will bring the three year project to a close. The workshop will take place on the morning of Wednesday 23rd May and will bring together a panel of high level speakers to discuss challenges and opportunities for European ports in the next 25 years and look to new collaborative opportunities that can support the adaptation of the port economy in the future. Further information, please contact wim.stubbe@portofoostende.be or go to http://www.portofoostende.be/patch/.
As part of its business development objective, PATCH has been working with companies and entrepreneurs with innovative products and technologies to demonstrate their application in the port environment. One of these technologies, involving the use of low consumption solar LED lighting by Nozon.be, has been validated by the Green Bridge Science Park in Ostend and tried and tested across the Belgian railway network.
As a result, ports are keen consumers of eco-innovtive products and services. On 9th February, the PATCH project will host a unique B2B event on “Eco-innovation in the Channel ports” on board the new super ferry P&O Spirit of France, where new companies will be given the opportunity to exchange know-how, showcase their products and set out their application in port areas. To participate in the event go to http://www.calais-port.fr/en/registration-for-observers-individuals.
PATCH is preparing exciting plans for an exhibition of its most innovative achievements at SEAWORK 2012 and will host a closing conference that will bring the three year project to a close. The workshop will take place on the morning of Wednesday 23rd May and will bring together a panel of high level speakers to discuss challenges and opportunities for European ports in the next 25 years and look to new collaborative opportunities that can support the adaptation of the port economy in the future. Further information, please contact wim.stubbe@portofoostende.be or go to http://www.portofoostende.be/patch/.
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