The Port of Ashdod, Israel, has started an Innovation program, targeted at enabling 10 start-up companies to develop innovative products and technologies related to shipping, logistics, and energy, according to FleetMon.

It stated: “The Port of Ashdod, Israel, has started an Innovation program where around 10 start-up companies will be selected to develop innovative products and technologies related to shipping, logistics, and energy.”

Orna Hozman Bachor, Chairman of the Board of Ashdod Port, stated that the development of this incubator will foster relationships with accelerators around the world so that there could be an export and import of startups. This would enable Port Ashdod to continue being a leader in maritime technology.

According to FleetMon, “For the incubation program of Port Ashdod, the startups will be selected from the pool of participants in two tenders. The startups selected for the incubation program will be given financial grants, port staff support, and an experimental area to test products. At the end of the program, startups will be provided with an opportunity to integrate their end product into the port’s systems. The startups will be provided the piloting opportunity to demonstrate their products and prove their feasibility and efficiency in improving the current port operations. In exchange for their support, the Port of Ashdod reserves the right to purchase the products or services offered at a 25% discount and to integrate them into the port.

“There are few startups already operational in Ashdod Port. Docktech, a startup providing real-time measurement of water depth, is making the loading and unloading safer as the traditional depth measurements were performed on long monthly intervals. Eco Wave Power is a startup that provides a system to produce energy from sea waves, which will help the port’s green initiative. Another startup “Spin Frame” provides a system to monitor vehicle damage. By monitoring the docks, parking lots, and the unloading process, it traces the origin of damaged goods and avoid unnecessary compensation claims. Working in the area of cybersecurity, “Naval Dome” specializes in detecting, and preventing cyber-attacks. Port Ashdod has an artificial intelligence startup named “Deep Trading”, that provides unhindered operations by the use of Artificial Intelligence, preemptively detecting problems and solving them in advance.”