The Consell general assembly approved a strategic agreement between the Department of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism and the Alicante Port Authority. The arrangement transfers former Amaro González company warehouses to the autonomous department, with a clear mission: convert the space into a hub for innovation. The facility will serve as an educational arena for digital skills development and artificial intelligence, as well as a living laboratory for experimentation and a repository of digital content curated for SMEs and the research sector. It will also function as an advisory center to foster applications around disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, the Internet of Things and 5G.
This initiative repurposes more than 5,000 square meters of previously abandoned space near the city. The location is designed to be a practical, hands-on environment where researchers, developers and entrepreneurs can train, test ideas, and receive guidance on cutting-edge technologies.
The facilities will be available for a term of 30 years, with the possibility of extending for up to five years. The continuation of use hinges on the ministry’s ongoing need and on compliance with the terms of the agreement, as well as compatibility with standard port operations.
Digital District Alliance and Alicante Port Authority advance the Port 4.0 innovation model
The ministry will cover the private occupancy fee for the portion of the port’s public area used by the project. The annual fee for 2023 stands at 61,324 euros, excluding rehabilitation or construction costs, and it may be adjusted in the future. In total, the project is projected to reach 2,146,340 euros, with updates to be determined by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda. In return, the Port Authority will transfer 4,623 square meters of Consell land labeled P-10, along with an access street measuring 780 square meters.
The initiative also contemplates potential funding from the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, Operational Program known as Federated Funds, aligning with broader regional innovation strategies. This project will be integrated into Distrito Digital’s building complex adjacent to Panoramis at Pier 5 of the Port of Alicante, joining an existing ecosystem of innovative companies and research entities.
Overall, the collaboration signals a practical deployment of Port 4.0 concepts, turning the port area into a living lab where industry, academia and regional authorities co-create digital capabilities. It also reinforces Alicante’s role as a hub for digital transformation, offering a scalable platform for training, experimentation and the development of new services around intelligent technologies. The initiative embodies a multi-stakeholder approach, bringing together public administration, private enterprise and research communities to accelerate regional competitiveness.
Cited from official minutes of the Consell general assembly and subsequent project briefs, this plan emphasizes accessibility, economic development and technology diffusion while preserving port operations and security standards. The long-term aim is to cultivate a thriving digital district that benefits local SMEs, startups and academic researchers alike, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation that can be replicated in other ports and coastal municipalities.