SmartNet and SeaTech projects
The INCONE60 project has not finished. We continue our work within two seed money projects - SmartNet (Smart Business Network - enhancing internationalisation through innovative, driven solutions) and SeaTech (Improving transport sustainability through developing digital solutions).
The idea of the SeaTech project is partly a follow-up of the INCONE60 project. The project's main objective is to discover the needs of small seaports in the South Baltic area in terms of digitisation and informatisation of processes and sustain their growth. As a result, a universal tool for digitising individual processes in the maritime sector and logistics will be created. Furthermore, the tool will aim to improve the operation of ports, increase their efficiency and simplify processes using new technology (e.g. blockchains). Thus, it will be a comprehensive IT tool enhancing the innovativeness and competitiveness of small ports. It will decrease the disproportion of the technological development level of small ports in the South Baltic region.
A transport simulator will also be developed as part of the regular project, which will be created based on the INCONE60 project results. This transport model presents the environmental and economic benefits of shifting cargo flow from land to sea and shows the benefits of short-sea shipping. The model calculates all transport-related and external costs, such as accidents, noise, pollutants, climate, congestion, well-to-tank and habitat damage. Extending its functionality with new ports, cargo, and the possibility of personalising the transport details will allow this tool to be used in the transport decision process. Additionally, the developed algorithms can help emerging market instruments to internalise external costs and thus increase the competitiveness of greener means of transport.
The idea of the Smartnet project is partly a follow-up of the INCONE60 project. Within this project, an idea for a Business Network called INCOnet arose (https://www.incone60.eu/inconet-1). INCOnet is dedicated to small or medium-sized seaports, communes and actors involved in the logistic chains.
The regular project planned to be created during the seed money project will be based on the cross-sectoral partnership. It will aim to innovatively internationalise SMEs in the seaport's catchment area to improve their presence in the international markets. We want to make small ports smarter. To achieve that, we will involve all types of companies in the port area for the port to develop comprehensively. Innovative networking platforms, business advisory services and matchmaking actions will be provided to improve the business offer of these structures.
Based on our recent experiences, we plan to create an intelligent business network with a practical dimension. We intend to make something other than another internet platform with information about potential stakeholders. To enhance our presence in the international market, we need to use innovation-driven solutions and combine forces of cross-sectoral partnership. With the experience of diversified collaboration, we plan to jointly develop solutions and create a brand recognised in Europe and bring tangible results for the development of companies and regions.
We will also arrange for an agreement between small ports to be signed. The first agreement was signed within the INCONE60 project between ports Vordingborg and Elbląg. It aims to strengthen the economic relations between Denmark and Poland, increase the amount of cargo transported by the sea between small ports, support the development of companies located surrounding these ports, increase the competitiveness and attractiveness of the regions, impact positively on the local and regional market and increase the number of workplaces. Ports will primarily work together to transfer technological solutions, increase competitiveness, strengthen their position in the Baltic market, acquire new cargo, and launch regular shipping connections. These activities will impact the local and regional economies.
In the SmartNet project, we want to organise a similar agreement between several small ports and create a broad business network.