The port authorities of Madeira and of Douro, Leixões, and Viana do Castelo have established a cooperation protocol through the sharing of resources and expertise in the field of digital transformation and technological innovation.
The three-year agreement was formalized this Tuesday in Leixões by the President of the Ports of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (APRAM, SA), Paula Cabaço, and her counterpart at the Ports of Douro, Leixões and Viana do Castelo (APDL, SA), João Neves.
“This partnership is of strategic value for the Ports of Madeira, as it strengthens cooperation with a port authority that, like us, is committed to digitalization and technological innovation,” stated Paula Cabaço, noting that Madeira will benefit from Leixões’ expertise in operational management and safety, while contributing its knowledge of the cruise industry.
For João Pedro Neves, Chairman of APDL, “this protocol represents an important step in the commercialization of 4PORT products, validating the strategy for developing these solutions in operational digitalization, while also reinforcing cooperation between port authorities.”
The agreement identifies key areas of cooperation, including port management, port information and communication systems, cybersecurity in port and critical infrastructure contexts, and technological innovation. In practice, APDL will provide the 4Planning, 4Watch, and LiveMap applications, while APRAM will contribute data on regional port activity to support the development of these platforms. 4Planning is a platform for monitoring and planning port traffic; 4Watch is aimed at operations control centers; and LiveMap allows real-time visualization of maritime activity.
For APRAM, a company under the supervision of the Regional Secretariat for the Economy, this protocol represents an annual investment of around €18,000. It is part of the Regional Government’s strategy to modernize Madeira’s ports, reinforcing its commitment to energy transition, digitalization, and innovation in port infrastructure. This represents a significant step towards making ports more sustainable, efficient, and prepared for the challenges of new logistics and environmental chains, aligning with international best practices in the maritime and port sector.
Paula Cabaço was accompanied in Leixões by APRAM’s Director of Port Operations and Safety, Paulo Falé, and Director of Resource and Environment Management, José Fernandes, who coordinates APRAM projects. The delegation visited the port to learn about the digitalization and technological innovation projects being developed, as part of this exchange of best practices.
