The Port of Barcelona has awarded the construction of BlueTechPort, a 25,700 m² innovation hub for the blue economy, to a temporary joint venture (TJV) of COMSA SAU, VOPI4 SA, and COMSA Instalaciones y Sistemas SAU for €52.3 million (including VAT). Work is scheduled to begin in November, with completion expected in two and a half years.
The new facility, managed by the World Trade Center Barcelona (WTCB), will repurpose old port warehouses on the Sant Bertran wharf into a sustainable, multi-functional building designed by b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos. It will host start-ups, scale-ups, research centres, and international organisations, fostering collaboration in the maritime and port sectors.
“BlueTechPort will serve as a sandbox for innovation, giving companies access to wharf testing space before market launch,” said WTCB.
The building will retain the original 1960s warehouse structures, featuring a central promenade, an eight-storey tower, and laboratories. Also, it will have exhibition areas, training rooms, and an auditorium. Sustainability features include geothermal energy using seawater, 500 kW photovoltaic panels, greywater reuse, and biophilic interior spaces. This ams to reduce irrigation and water tank consumption by up to 70% and 50% respectively.
Lastly, BlueTechPort is designed to accommodate up to 2,500 people, providing flexible spaces to encourage collaboration across the blue economy ecosystem.
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