Homeport festival to focus on maritime innovations

8 June 2023

Prototyping and technology festival on June 22 - emphasis on decarbonisation, circular economy and digital manufacturing

Those keen on 3D printing, digital twins or virtual and augmented reality can look forward to the prototyping and technology festival "Homecoming Homeport 2023" in Hamburg on June 22, 2023. Emphasis is on decarbonisation, the circular economy, the potential of mobile sensor technology for Hamburg and the port as well as digital manufacturing. The agenda features technology sessions, panel discussions, expert interviews, live demos and an exhibition. "We want to bring the various applications of innovative technologies to life practically on the water, in the air and on our open spaces. Artificial intelligence (AI), which is now on everyone's lips, will be everywhere as a cross-sectional technology," said Stefanie Teichmann, Product & Operations Manager at Homeport.

Testing ground for forward-looking technologies

Launched in 2021 by the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), Homeport offers stakeholders, universities, technology companies and start-ups a testing ground for developing new products and for trying out new approaches and presenting them to potential partners. "We want to raise public acceptance of new technologies," said Teichmann. Around EUR 9.8 billion in added value and tax revenues of EUR 2.57 billion are generated by port-dependent employment. Real laboratories such as the Homeport are catalysts of innovation and give Hamburg a competitive edge.

Stefanie Teichmann, Product & Operations Managerin beim Homeport

International co-operation in maritime sector

International collaborations such as the EU's Connected River project are being advanced in Homeport. "The focus is on how, what and which stakeholders are needed along the waterway to establish innovation processes in ports and how they can support each other," Teichmann pointed out. Homeport is the lead partner in six European pilot regions. The four-year EU project has received around EUR 5 million in funds.

Search now on for new recruits

Skilled workers are crucial to successful innovation. "Technical innovations, such as drones, AI or 3D printing have altered many job profiles. Thus, this year's Homecoming Homeport 2023 targets mostly young professionals," Teichmann stressed. The agenda features panels on "New Skills for the Labour Market" and company pitches while exhibitors include Airbus, Lufthansa Industry Solutions, the Fehrmann Tech Group, Helmut Schmidt University and the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services. Dr Peter Tschentscher, Mayor of Hamburg, is due to open the event and to tour the exhibition afterwards.
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