BSM highlights its commitment to the blue economy, innovation and sustainability as key areas in the transformation of the Port Olímpic
Until 15 October, the Port Olímpic's stand will be hosting talks, presentations and roundtables to make known the aims of this blue economy hub, highlight the sustainability projects that are being carried out and the role the Port will play in the celebration of the America’s Cup
The Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, this morning attended the inauguration of the 61st edition of the Barcelona International Boat Show, which is taking place until 15 October in Port Vell. The Mayor visited the Port Olímpic stand, which was later visited by the Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, Raquel Sánchez, and the Catalan Minister for Territory, Esther Capella, among other authorities. The Managing Director of BSM, Marta Labata, and the Director of the Port Olímpic, Olga Cerezo, together with other BSM executives, explained how the transformation of the port was coming along and talked about the projects that would be highlighted this year within the framework of the competition.
This will be the second time that the Port Olímpic has participated in this major industry gathering since BSM started managing it in 2020. Under the slogan “The future is blue”, the Port Olímpic stand, measuring 130 square metres, will be the meeting point where city residents and the nautical ecosystem can find out first hand how the port is turning into a new urban setting committed to the surrounding area and to generating economic activity linked to the sea, specialising in nautical services and activities, innovation, technology, circular economy and sustainability.
This morning's official opening will give way to the programme of activities that BSM has put together to showcase some of the projects that are being carried out at the Olympic Port in relation to the blue economy, sustainability and innovation. The first activity will be a conversation between the Director of the Barcelona Zoo, Antoni Alarcón, and the biologist and researcher at the Institute of Marine Sciences, Xavier Salvador. The discussion, which will be taking place this afternoon, will serve as an opportunity to take stock of the project for recovering the seabed which the Olympic Port is developing by creating a bio-regeneration reef around the port installations, an initiative that as well as improving water quality will help to boost marine biodiversity in the area.
Tomorrow 12 October, David Serrano, corporate director of ESG at BSM, and Narcís Armengol, dean of the Official College of Industrial Engineers of Catalonia, will be participating in a roundtable on the sustainability and innovation projects that are being developed to ensure the net positive impact of port activity, to mitigate the effects of the climate emergency and to adapt the port to the challenges posed by global warming, in line with the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda.
Just like last year, the sailing companies working in the Port Olímpic will also visit the stand. On the afternoons of 12 and 14 October, they will be participating in roundtables on the experiences they offer and the opportunities being created by this new era in the Port Olímpic.
The blue economy will be featured on Friday 13 October. The event entitled ‘The Port Olímpic: A showcase for the blue sectors’ will help to disseminate the work underway to attract companies for the Blue Economy Hub being created on Moll de Mestral and Dic de Recer sea wall. The event will be attended by Olga Cerezo, director of the Port Olímpic; Anna Majó, director of Business Innovation at Barcelona Activa, and representatives of the first companies to have confirmed their presence in the new economic hub that is being developed at the Port.
The 37th America’s Cup will also make a stop at the stand of the Port Olímpic, which will be the base port for the youth and women’s regattas being held as part of this major sailing event. On Saturday 14 October, ‘This is how the Puig Women’s America’s Cup is being planned’ will focus on how the first women’s regattas in the history of this major nautical event are being organised. Participants will include Aurora Catà, vice-president of America’s Cup Event Barcelona (ACE Barcelona); Mack Dalton, manager of the Youth & Puig Women’s America’s Cup; and several sailors from the participating teams.
