- PIN (Port Innovators Network), a network co-founded by Opentop, strengthens its global connections and grows to 11 members.
- The new member will take part in its first event in Valencia as part of PEIC (Port Entrepreneurship International Congress).
- NIMO (Northern Ireland Maritime and Offshore) represents the majority of Northern Ireland’s ports and harbours.
Valencia, 25th August 2026 – Opentop welcomes Northern Ireland Maritime and Offshore (NIMO) as a new member of the Port Innovators Network (PIN), further strengthening innovation and knowledge exchange across the global port ecosystem.
NIMO represents the majority of Northern Ireland’s ports and harbours. Including Belfast Harbour, Foyle Port, Larne Port and Warrenpoint Port, as well as the NI Fishery and Harbour Authority. It brings together industry, government and academia to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that generate economic and environmental value across Northern Ireland’s maritime and offshore sectors.
Belfast Harbour is Northern Ireland’s main maritime gateway. Handling 70% of the region’s seaborne trade and 25% of the seaborne trade across the island of Ireland. As a publicly owned Trust Port, it plays a key role in Northern Ireland’s economy.
NIMO’s first step as a PIN member will be to attend the network’s plenary meeting in Valencia next October. Focused on PIN’s growth strategy. NIMO will also participate in an event organised by Opentop on port resilience and in the plenary session of PEIC (Port Entrepreneurship International Congress), held within the framework of the Valencia Digital Summit (VDS).
A global network for port innovation
Antonio Torregrosa, Managing Director of Fundación Valenciaport, welcomed NIMO and the Northern Irish ports it represents. Highlighting that the organisation’s first event as a new member will take place in Valencia at PEIC, which is establishing itself as an international meeting point for port entrepreneurship.
PIN now comprises 11 members. Further expanding a global network that connects port innovation ecosystems and facilitates collaboration between startups, entrepreneurs, companies, researchers, universities and investors.
Dr Kerry Muldoon, Executive Director of NIMO, highlighted the organisation’s capabilities in areas including autonomous systems, offshore renewable energy and innovative port technologies. As well as technology transfer from the aerospace to the maritime sector.
For its part, Belfast Harbour has invested in solutions ranging from enhanced connectivity and real-time monitoring systems to automated environmental and fuel monitoring and the digitalisation of documentation.
About NIMO
The mission of Northern Ireland Maritime and Offshore (NIMO) is to connect and strengthen Northern Ireland’s maritime and offshore sectors. Fostering collaboration, innovation and sustainable economic growth.
The growing cluster has more than 65 members from industry, academia and government and represents most of Northern Ireland’s ports and harbours. NIMO works closely with Invest Northern Ireland, which funds the cluster through its Cluster Acceleration Programme, as well as with other key stakeholders across the UK and Ireland.
About Port Innovators Network
Port Innovators Network (PIN) is a global network of port innovation hubs founded by homePORT (Port of Hamburg), Opentop (Valenciaport) and The PIER (Port of Halifax).
Its mission is to accelerate the adoption of innovation across the global port system. By connecting communities of startups, entrepreneurs, companies, researchers, universities and investors to share ideas, project results, innovation experiences, methodologies and best practices.
In addition to its founding partners, its members include Cubo Maritime & Port, SmartportLab, 2050 National Maritime Innovation Hub, Blue Economy Incubator, Port of Esbjerg, thinkport VIENNA, New Bedford Ocean Cluster and, now, Northern Ireland Maritime & Offshore.
About Opentop
Opentop is Valenciaport’s Innovation Hub, an initiative led by Fundación Valenciaport with the support of the Port Authority of Valencia. Its main objective is to bring open innovation closer to the companies and organisations operating across the three ports managed by the APV: Valencia, Sagunto and Gandia. To enhance their competitiveness.
Press Contact
Opentop: Helena Ortiz
Email: hortiz@fundacion.valenciaport.com
