- Expansion of the port innovation network in the North Atlantic (Massachusetts, USA): PIN expands its global reach with the addition of the New Bedford Ocean Cluster (NBOC)
- Growing diversity of the open innovation network: With this addition, PIN now has 10 members, bringing together ports from different geographical areas with diverse profiles and specialisations.
Valencia, 1 December 2025.- The Port Innovation Network (PIN) is expanding in the United States, specifically in New England, Massachusetts, with the addition of the New Bedford Ocean Cluster (NBOC).
The New Bedford Ocean Cluster is a non-profit maritime industry association launched in 2021 that supports the development of the ocean economy of the Port of New Bedford and the surrounding region in four industrial pillars: aquaculture, commercial fishing and processing, offshore renewable energy, and marine technology.
With this new addition, PIN members benefit from NBOC’s experience in fostering industrial cooperation, particularly between sectors such as commercial fishing and emerging sectors such as offshore energy. Through its presence in the PIN network, NBOC establishes a closer connection with ports around the world and the opportunity to participate in collaborative projects that drive innovation and economic growth in the maritime port sector.
Statements
Antonio Torregrosa, Managing Director, Fundación Valenciaport
“Fundación Valenciaport warmly welcomes New Bedford Ocean Cluster as a new member of PIN. For Opentop, a founding member of PIN, it is a great satisfaction to see the network grow to 10 members today.
What is truly valuable is the diversity represented by this network: ports from different geographical locations, with different profiles and specialisations, but all united by the same conviction: open innovation is a fundamental tool for building the port of the future. The incorporation of New Bedford Ocean Cluster, with its experience in the convergence between traditional and emerging sectors, further enriches this international port collaboration network.
Jennifer Downing, Executive Director, New Bedford Ocean Cluster NBOC
‘We are delighted to be part of PIN. The Port of New Bedford is the highest-grossing commercial fishing port in the United States and a leading centre for offshore wind energy development. This success has also positioned the port as a leader in other marine technologies. We look forward to sharing best practices and lessons learned in New Bedford with PIN member ports.’
About New Bedford Ocean Cluster
NBOC aims to foster collaboration and coordination between industry, academia and the public sector to promote and grow the region’s maritime economy. NBOC is dedicated to business development by identifying new growth opportunities, promoting regional assets in national and global markets, building cross-sector relationships and actively supporting strategies to expand the local marine industry. It facilitates networking and fosters connections and collaboration among maritime industry players through business-focused events and support services.
About PIN
Port Innovators Network (PIN) is a global network of port innovation hubs founded by homePORT (Port of Hamburg), Opentop (Fundación Valenciaport and Port Authority of Valencia) and The PIER (Port of Halifax). Its mission is to drive the adoption of innovation in the global port system. PIN connects communities of innovation centres, including start-ups, entrepreneurs, companies, researchers, universities and investors, to share ideas, project results, innovation experiences, methodologies and best practices.
Its members also include: Cubo Maritime (Porto do Açu), SmartportLab (Port of Bahía Blanca), the 2050 National Maritime Innovation Hub (Port of Tyne), Blue Economy Incubator (Port of San Diego), Port of Esbjerg, thinkport VIENNA and now the new member New Bedford Ocean Cluster.
About Opentop
Opentop is Valenciaport’s Innovation Hub. This initiative, led by Fundación Valenciaport with the support of the Port Authority of Valencia, has the main objective of bringing open innovation closer to companies and entities operating in the three ports managed by the APV (Valencia, Sagunto and Gandía), in order to boost their competitiveness.
specialisations.
