PORTATHON 2025
7th INTERNATIONAL PORT TECHNOLOGY EVENT
26–28 September
For the seventh year in a row, Klaipėda will become a place to embrace challenges, disrupt the status quo, and shape the future of global maritime technologies.
Innovators, tech and maritime start-up creators, brave and creative minds – we can’t wait to see you in Klaipėda Science and Technology Park or meet online.
Prizes
The winners will share a prize fund of
4000 €.
Each of the 4 winning teams with the strongest solutions will be awarded 1000 €.
Challenge categories
- Cybersecurity and Safe Navigation
- AI and Unmanned Technologies
- Green and Resilient Ports
- Environment and Circular Economy
Event date: 26-28 September 2025
Location: On-site event in Klaipeda (no online participation)
Event venue: Klaipėda Science and Technology Park, Vilhelmo Berbomo St. 10, Klaipėda, Lithuania
Participant registration deadline: 25 September 2025
Who should join
All students, start-ups, academics, IT, shipbuilding, transport and logistics professionals are welcome to join.
Please note: not only IT or engineering enthusiasts are welcome. Maybe your super power is design, business management or marketing? We are open for the talents from various fields.
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. Need a fresh view on a problem you are dealing with?
Challenges
#1 Challenge
Radio silence: GPS interference detection as a preventive measure for maritime safety
Challenge by:
Žilvinas Atkočiūnas
Electronics Specialist, Technological Equipment Division. Technology Department, Klaipėda State Seaport Authority
Recently, the Port of Klaipėda has encountered increasing cases of GPS signal interference. Currently, there is no alert system in place—neither for those participating in vessel traffic nor for the port’s cargo handling companies that depend on GPS signals for their operations. Such disruptions create serious risks for safe navigation, especially in zones with dense traffic of ships and tugboats and can disrupt the smooth execution of cargo handling tasks.
Interference of this kind may result in inaccurate navigation, hazardous maneuvers, or even incidents. Reliable positioning information is becoming ever more crucial for the safety and efficiency of port operations.
Challenge objective:
Design a real-time GPS interference detection and warning system that will automatically notify vessels and cargo operation participants in case of signal disruptions. The system should:
- Provide clear and tangible benefits to end-users by delivering timely alerts,
- Include a technological concept for how an innovative platform can enable quick identification of positioning issues,
- Reduce the risk of navigation errors,
- And help prevent potential incidents within the port area for all who rely on GPS-based equipment.
Schedule
26 September Friday
15:00 – 15:30 Registration & Coffee
15:30 – 15:45 Opening
15:45 – 17:00 Presentation of challenges
17:00 – 17:30 Practical information. Team building
17:30 Start of PORTATHON 2025
27 September Saturday
8:00 – 10:00 Work in teams. Individual consultation with mentors
10:00 – 11:00 Inspiring presentation. Success stories
11:00 – 13:00 Teams presentations to mentors
13:00 – 19:00 Work in teams. Individual consultation with mentors
28 September Sunday
9:00 – 13:00 Work in teams. Individual consultation with mentors
13:00 – 16:00 Final Pitches. Awards Ceremony
Mentors
Audrius Senulis
Associate Professor, Head of Engineering Department, Researcher at Marine research Institute
Organisers
Partners
Value to participants
Reasons to attend!
– It’s a great opportunity to get to know challenges of the ports and meet enthusiasts that have the same interests as you and that care about the same technologies.
– You will work with people that come from different fields, have different ideas and interests. All working together to solve the challenges – you can achieve an unbelievable result.
– This is a great add up to your CV: you will be getting some real tech experience.
– During the hackathon you increase your knowledge and gain team work experience.
– Participation in the Portathon reveals a lot about your personality. It is a proof that you are a person that takes initiative, seeks deeper knowledge and enjoys challenges.
– The main idea is to solve a challenge by providing solution. So, you end up with a product or service. And if not, you at least know what worked out and what didn’t.
– Our experience shows that many participants build lifelong contacts and relationships from a hackathon and have the chance to showcase their skills.
Join as a mentor!
– We expect to meet you during “Portathon” session from 26th till 28th of September. Also, you are welcome to initiate individual meetings with teams during all hackathon time.
– During the meetings with the teams, the goal of mentors is to contribute with their insights, broaden attitudes, and encourage more ambitious problem solving. Mentors can initiate meetings / discussions with teams themselves. The meeting can last from a few to several tens of minutes at the mentor’s time schedule.
– The mentor is an expert who wants to share their knowledge and expertise with hackathon participants who are enthusiasts of technology.
– During the hackathon mentors can find interesting solutions and talents to work together in the future.
Values for Business
– Businesses are welcome to submit their challenges in the following areas: cybersecurity / secure navigation solutions / artificial intelligence / unmanned technologies / the circular economy / biodiversity conservation and mitigating the impact of climate change in ports.
– It’s a great place to make competent connections
– Possibility to find international talent that can be brought into the company’s operations.
– Chance to develop know-how technologies and employ them to increase competitiveness.
Portathon 2025
Practical information
Date: 26-28 September, 2025
Event type: On-site event in Klaipeda (no online participation)
Duration: participants traditionally dedicate 48 hours to generating solutions.
Address: Klaipeda Science and Technology Park, Vilhelmo Berbomo St. 10, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
Important note regarding team-making: only teams from 3 to 5 members are allowed to participate in the hackathon. If you do not have your team – you are welcome to register by yourself and organizers will combine team with members with the same interest.
Event is free of charge. The organizer will provide: a place to hack, catering. Participants are responsible for: their own accommodation, travel expenses.
Event language: English.
Coordinator contact: project manager Erika Zavackiene | erika@kmtp.lt
Past events
Portathon 2024
Portathon 2023
Portathon 2022
Portathon 2021
Portathon 2020
Portathon 2019
