For the eighth year in a row, Klaipeda 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 at Klaipeda Science and Technology Park.
Prizes
The prizes will be announced soon
Challenge categories
- Cybersecurity and Safe Navigation
- AI and Unmanned Technologies
- Green and Resilient Ports
- Environment and Circular Economy
Event date: 25-27 September 2026
Location: On-site event in Klaipeda (no online participation)
Event venue: Klaipeda Science and Technology Park, Vilhelmo Berbomo St. 10, Klaipeda, Lithuania
Participant registration deadline: 24 September 2026
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
COMING SOON
Schedule
25 September Friday
15:30 – 16:00 Registration & Coffee
16:00 – 16:15 Opening
16:15 – 17:30 Presentation of challenges
17:30 – 17:40 Practical information. Team building
17:40 Start of PORTATHON 2026
26 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
27 September Sunday
8:00 – 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 2026
Practical information
Date: 25-27 September 2026
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 2025
Portathon 2024
Portathon 2023
Portathon 2022
Portathon 2021
Portathon 2020
Portathon 2019
