The Distribution Committee of the Interport Compensation Fund, which met yesterday under the coordination of Puertos del Estado, has approved the provisional award of 6 million euros to 16 commercial projects as part of the Ports 4.0 Call 2023, underlining its firm commitment to the modernisation and digitalisation of the Spanish logistics-port system. These initiatives, selected from among 66 applications, cover key areas such as the automation of loading and unloading processes, the improvement of the goods traceability through IoT, the strengthening of safety in critical infrastructures and the development of sustainable energy solutions, thus contributing to consolidate the port system as a technological leader in the Mediterranean.
Since its creation in 2020, the Ports 4.0 programme has promoted corporate open innovation in collaboration with Puertos del Estado and the various Port Authorities. In this period, the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) has acted as a facilitating agent in all editions, supporting 57 projects in total:
- 2020 (commercial concepts and projects): 17 supported, 2 selected
- 2021 (pre-commercial): 13 supported, 6 selected
- 2022 (pre-commercial): 15 supported, 7 selected
- 2023 (commercial concepts and projects): 16 supported, 4 selected
- 2024 (pre-commercial): ongoing call, participation promoted by the ABS, 16 projects
Among the initiatives supported are real-time traceability systems, virtual reality platforms for training operators in public domain management, and environmental monitoring tools, reflecting the diversity and technical quality of the Balearic Islands' innovative fabric.
In order to maintain this momentum, the Committee has approved a budget extension of EUR 18 million for Ports 4.0. These resources will finance two new lines of action: a call for commercial concepts and projects before the end of 2025, and a call for pre-commercial projects during 2026. In this way, the stimulus to startups, technological SMEs and research groups aimed at developing disruptive solutions that improve the efficiency, sustainability and resilience of port infrastructures will be maintained.
In parallel, the Distribution Committee ratified the contribution of the Port Authorities to the Interport Compensation Fund, set at 5% of the budget, and a percentage reduced to 2.5% for the ports of the Canary and Balearic archipelagos, as well as Ceuta, Melilla and Seville. For 2026, the initial distribution of funds allocates 9.7 million euros to grant funding for shipping, 10.2 million euros for insularity and outermost regions, 1.6 million euros to safety actions and 8.7 million euros to the Ports 4.0 programme itself, thus guaranteeing the cohesion and equity of the State port system.
Finally, the update of the programme of actions of the Financial Fund for Port Land Accessibility was approved, which includes 58 projects with an investment of 1.8839 billion euros, of which 821.3 million will be contributed by the port public bodies themselves. These actions are designed to reinforce the land connectivity of the port facilities, improving access routes and logistical links with the main national transport corridors.
The Balearic Islands Port Authority reiterates its commitment to the digital and environmental transformation of its infrastructures, inviting the agents of the sector to participate in the upcoming calls and collaborations that will allow further progress towards more efficient, safe and sustainable ports.