PORTATHON
International Port Technology Hackathon
About Portathon
“Portathon Baltic 2019” is the name of the hackathon that will be held for the first time in 2019. It is being organized by Klaipėda Science and Technology Park. This hackathon was the first and so far the only such hackathon to focus on cutting-edge solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s ports.
The port city Klaipėda is the centre of maritime business in the country, developing a “blue breakthrough” strategy, and in order to compete on an equal footing among the ports in the Baltic region, it has to continuously develop an advanced infrastructure, and to remain technologically innovative in the fast-changing market conditions. Thanks to the proven success of the event and its growing popularity, the Klaipėda Science and Technology Park has become a hub for valuable networking opportunities for all groups participating in the hackathon, including participants, mentors, and challenge providers.
The main objective of the event is to produce results by the end of the marathon. The hackathon brings together professionals and technology enthusiasts with different areas of expertise to generate ideas and prototypes with the help of mentors. These ideas and prototypes can be applied to the logistics sector, the automation and digitalization of port terminal equipment and processes, and the development of intelligent transport ecosystems.
In the conceptual sense, “Portathon” is a dynamic and flexible event, as its theme and concept adapt to local issues, global trends, and the geopolitical situation. Portahon addresses the most pressing challenges of the port ecosystem by examining relevant topics and challenges annually. It brings together specialists and experts in their fields who are familiar with the latest knowledge and technologies to work toward a common goal. The Innovation Generation Marathon, organized by Klaipėda Science and Technology Park, is the most successful example of a technological event. Due to its uniqueness, it has become a calling card of maritime Klaipėda.
In today’s global trade environment, ports serve as vital gateways that extend beyond the traditional infrastructure of linking ships, railways, and transport networks. Consequently, the hackathon’s scope has expanded to encompass technical domains, IT and digitalization solutions for the maritime industry, cyber security, the integration of artificial intelligence, sustainability solutions, and the technological development of port cities and ecosystem environments. Every year, new challenges generate new opportunities, which more than a hundred participants dare to try.
Why Portathon?
Portathon is an international event with a borderless location and scale. This is why it offers each participant an extremely wide range of opportunities for self-realization.
The teams that generate the most interesting solutions are awarded solid prizes and provided with free practical and theoretical knowledge, experiences, and connections from specialists in science, business, and their specific fields.
The most important thing is that potential investors — the port and companies operating in this region — immediately see the generated solutions. Due to the intersection of major transport and logistics routes at the port, as well as the interaction of different modes of transport, complex technologies, IT, digitalization, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and sustainability solutions, there is undoubtedly huge scope for progressive ideas and qualitative leaps.
Examples of Success
– The Lithuanian CyberUnit team was awarded for its technology solution that plans the skills and training of naval personnel.
– The “VTDK Horizontas” team, comprised of students and teachers from the Vilnius College of Technology and Design, was also successful. As the Navy plans to construct new single-class warships, the team of future design professionals did not miss the opportunity to contribute to the development of the warship concept by proposing an interior design solution adapted to Lithuanian warships.
– Sweep & Storm, the joint national team that won the Hackathon, offered surprising insights into monitoring and managing pollution in ports. In addition to proposing a solution involving smart, autonomous hang gliders, the innovators highlighted the possibility of creating a unique material with excellent absorption properties from human or animal hair and nylon waste. They believe that integrating this material into special drone containers could efficiently collect spills in the port.
They noted that many current pollution elimination tools are designed for large-scale environmental disasters. However, for small spills, it would make sense to look for other innovative tools.
Reasons why participating in a hackathon is worthwhile:
Who should join
All students, start-ups, academics, IT, shipbuilding, transport and logistics professionals are welcome to join.
Become a mentor
If you are interested in joining as a mentor, sharing your experience in port or maritime sectors, and guiding the teams in developing their innovative solutions, please register below.
Submit a challenge
Maritime businesses, port authorities, companies and organisations from related sectors are invited to submit real-life challenges every year. Need a fresh view on a problem you are dealing with?
Past events
Portathon 2024
Portathon 2023
Portathon 2022
Portathon 2021
Portathon 2020
Portathon 2019
