- Organized by the Innova IRV Foundation and the Department of Industry, the event highlighted Andalusia’s role as a benchmark in technological innovation and industrial transformation within this sector
The Navantia Training Centre (NTC) in San Fernando hosted the “Impulso&Crece” conference on Tuesday, an initiative organized by the Ricardo Valle Institute of Innovation Foundation (Innova IRV) in collaboration with the Andalusian Department of Industry, Energy, and Mines. The event brought together professionals and experts to discuss challenges related to digitalization, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity in the naval and port logistics sectors.
The opening ceremony featured Territorial Delegate of Cádiz Inmaculada Olivero; Director of Corvettes and Maritime Action Vessels Business at Navantia, Alberto Cervantes; and Vice President of the University Ecosystem at the Innova IRV Foundation, Javier López.
In her remarks, Inmaculada Olivero stated, “Digitalization is key to ensuring the future of the industry in Andalusia. These types of events are essential to connect knowledge and technology, enabling continued progress in a sector as vital to Cádiz province as the naval industry.”
For his part, Alberto Cervantes from Navantia expressed gratitude for the choice of the NTC as the venue and emphasized, “Navantia is committed to leading technological advancement in the naval industry, and this conference reflects our interest in sharing experiences and creating synergies with other stakeholders in the sector.”
Javier López also highlighted, “At the Innova IRV Foundation, we reaffirm our commitment to innovation and strengthening Andalusia’s business fabric. This conference is an example of the collaborative work between public and private entities to boost competitiveness and drive digital transformation in strategic sectors like the naval industry.”
A program featuring top-level experts
The program included highly engaging presentations, such as that of Juan Jesús Carretero, Head of Navantia’s Naval Systems Excellence Centre, who spoke about “AI and Cybersecurity in Navantia’s Products,” and Manuel Francisco Martínez, CTO of the Port of Huelva, who addressed the integration of digital twins and smart platforms in ports.
Juan Marcelo Gaitán, Director of Innovation at Telefónica’s FIWARE iHubs, underscored the role of entrepreneurship in the port logistics sector. Meanwhile, Jesús Medina, Head of Technological Development at the Algeciras Bay Port Authority, shared success stories on implementing AI and cybersecurity in port operations.
The Impulso&Crece Project
This conference is part of the Impulso&Crece project, spearheaded by the Andalusian Department of Industry, Energy, and Mines. The initiative aims to advance industrial digitalization in Andalusia.
The project seeks to create an enabling environment for industrial project development, improve productivity and value generation, foster competitive talent, and promote collaboration and innovation within the digital value chain.
Furthermore, the project aspires to position Andalusia as a leader in the digital industry, driving the region’s economic and social sustainability.