Port of Rotterdam Authority signs with four innovative start-ups for port of the future

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has signed partnership agreements with four recent participants in the annual PortXL innovation programme. The products developed by these promising start-ups range from compact tulip-shaped wind turbines to blockchain applications for freight tracking. Together with 10 other start-ups and scale-ups, these companies took part in this year’s PortXL innovation accelerator programme, which brings innovators from all over the world to Rotterdam to further develop their technologies.

Together with 10 other start-ups and scale-ups, these companies took part in this year’s PortXL innovation accelerator programme, which brings innovators from all over the world to Rotterdam to further develop their technologies. The participants presented their results today during a ‘Shakedown’ event in the former submarine wharf at RDM Rotterdam. Port Authority CEO Allard Castelein: “Rotterdam is a pioneering port. This means that we constantly work to determine how we can do things smarter, more efficiently, better and more sustainably. A programme like PortXL is important because it offers global innovators all kinds of scope, opportunities and support, enabling them to continue working on the port of the future during their time in Rotterdam.”

Contracts for innovation pilot projects

The Port of Rotterdam Authority signed contracts with five start-ups for pilot projects that are expected to have an impact on the port. The contract with Tulyp Wind (Arkom) focuses on locating a suitable site in the port for installing the firm’s compact wind turbines. The Port Authority will be collaborating with ECOncrete to determine whether their sustainable products can be used to stimulate biodiversity on and in quay walls in the port area. The pilot project with CargoLedger will test whether the firm’s system simplifies the handling and dispatch of cargo. And the final contract with WhaleWashing is intended to establish whether the port of Rotterdam would be a suitable location for the world’s first ‘car wash’ for vessels.

Tulyp Wind (Arkom)

The wind turbine developed by Tulyp Wind bears a resemblance to the eponymous flower. This turbine has a compact profile and produces less noise pollution. This makes it easier to fit the structure in a range of environments.
Tulyp Wind

CargoLedger

CargoLedger develops blockchain-based solutions that make the handling and dispatch of cargo easier, more transparent and safe. Shipments are labelled and dispatched. After scanning the label, the recipient immediately gains insight into a variety of cargo conditions, including the shipment’s temperature, humidity level and state.
CargoLedger

ECOncrete

ECOncrete’s technology makes it possible to construct ecologically beneficial quay walls that offer shelter and food for fish and other important species. Its products improve the biological and ecological values of urban, coastal and maritime infrastructure. They consist of a combination of special concrete mixtures and admixtures that promote bio-diversity, unique surface structures and innovative, research-based designs.
ECOncrete

WhaleWashing

WhaleWashing’s innovative technology can be used to clean ship’s hulls between 10 and 400 metres long. A clean hull significantly improves a vessel’s power consumption.
WhaleWashing

About the PortXL programme

PortXL was established in 2015 by the Port of Rotterdam Authority in partnership with Van Oord, Vopak, Boskalis EY, Uniper, Rabobank, Rotterdam Port Fund, InnovationQuarter and Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship. It is the only start-up accelerator programme that specifically focuses on port-related activities. PortXL searches the world for innovative start-ups in the Transport & Logistics, Energy, Chemical & Refining and Maritime sectors.
After making it through the programme’s ‘Selection Days’ in February, the 14 selected start-ups and scale-ups worked hard over the past three months to raise their innovations to the next level. They received intensive coaching support in this context from mentors, partners and experts in the PortXL network. The participants recently presented the progress they had made so far during the PortXL ‘Shakedown’.