German and Latvian Ports Partner for Digital Innovations
Image Credit: Freeport of Riga
Germany's Port of Hamburg and Latvia's Freeport of Riga signed an MoU with LMT, a leading Latvian telecommunications and technology company, to promote cooperation and digital innovation in the field of maritime technology and to outline new trends in ports infrastructure management. The MoU, as per the press release, foresees the establishment of several working groups - the Port Connectivity Working Group will focus on the deployment of mobile network infrastructure, including 5G private networks; while the Smart Infrastructure and Cyber Security Working Group will focus on smart infrastructure monitoring, AI-driven analytics and cyber security. Experts from Germany and Latvia have already met in the first working sessions, where key activities and issues have been outlined.
Teams from both countries will work together in the future to develop detailed work plans and start coordinating pilot projects. Lennart Kinau, Head of Strategy and External Relations at the Hamburg Port Authority, and the LMT Innovation Development team will supervise the working groups activities. Maritime Technology Innovation
Viktors Valainis, Minister of Economy of Latvia, described the MoU as an important step in Latvian-German cooperation. "By addressing the common challenges in the Baltic Sea with digital innovations in maritime technology, we are not only strengthening economic ties between the two countries, but also setting a precedent for collective action on important issues affecting the common future of maritime affairs," he said. The main objectives in the field of maritime technology innovation are being set the MoU to find answers to the current challenges in the port and maritime sectors, and to develop practical digital solutions, leading to a joint proof-of-concept demonstration. Ports: Critical Infrastructure
Ingmars Pukis, Vice President of LMT, said ports are a critical part of national and international infrastructure. "The introduction of new technologies in ports is equally important, not only to strengthen safety, security, and defense, but also to increase efficiency and adaptability to future requirements," he highlighted. "LMT has been working on maritime connectivity solutions for several years, for which we have won the prestigious International Association of Ports (IAPH) Sustainability Award in the 'Digitalization' category." Pukis believes this is the future of port management, with the ports of Hamburg and Riga leading the way. Moreover, the Latvian and German partners have a long history of cooperation in the port sector. A new focus in this cooperation was marked by the visit of Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economics and Innovation of Hamburg, to Riga in early 2024, which laid the foundation for extensive cooperation specifically in the field of digitalization and innovation. In spring 2024, a Latvian delegation travelled to Hamburg to present solutions in port digitalization practices.
In the summer of the same year, representatives from the ports of Hamburg and Lubeck took part in a 5G maritime connectivity demonstration in the port of Riga, organized by LMT, LVR Flote, and the Freeport of Riga.