The PIER welcomes Northern Ireland Maritime and Offshore (NIMO), supported by Belfast Harbour as the newest member of the Port Innovators Network (PIN), helping drive innovation and knowledge sharing across PIN’s global network. PIN is a worldwide association, with members from across the maritime sector, that aims to boost the adoption of innovation in the global ports ecosystem. NIMO brings together members from across industry, government and academia to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions riving significant economic and environmental benefitsacross Maritime and Offshore sectors in Northern Ireland.
Belfast Harbour is the principle maritime gateway in Northern Ireland, handling 70% of the region’s seaborne trade, and 25% of seaborne trade for the island of Ireland. The Trust Port is a key driver of the Northern Ireland economy, facilitating the steady flow of trade and goods and supporting £8.8bn in total Gross Value Added (GVA) to the regional economy.
Dr Kerry Muldoon, Executive Director of NIMO, said: “NIMO members bring strength in areas like autonomous systems, offshore renewables, and innovative port technologies, as well as technology transfer from aerospace into the marine sector. What excites us most about joining PIN is the two-way benefit it creates. Our innovative SMEs gain exposure beyond Northern Ireland, while other PIN members gain direct access to the capability and innovation we’ve built here. Through PIN’s matchmaking network, those connections happen quickly, opening doors that would otherwise take years to find on their own. At the same time, our own ports and harbours across the region can learn a huge amount from PIN’s members, and we’re looking forward to collaborating with fellow innovation hubs as they tackle many of the same challenges we face.”
Mike Dawson, People and Digital Transformation Director, Belfast Harbour said: “Belfast Harbour is currently laying the foundation for the port’s digital future as part of our 2025-50 Masterplan, which sets out long-term investment in port infrastructure. The objective is to create an integrated, data-driven operating model that improves safety, productivity, and resilience.We’ve already invested in innovative solutions such as enhanced connectivity and live monitoring solutions to improve situational awareness and operational response; automated environmental and fuel monitoring to improve safety and compliance; and digitalised documentation to reduce administration time. The Port Innovators Network offers the opportunity for us to expand our connections around the world and we look forward to sharing our learnings from internal projects and connecting with our peers to discover how other ports and sectors have been planning for the future.”
David Thomas, Executive Director, The PIER said: “As a founding member of the Port Innovators Network, The PIER welcomes NIMO and Belfast Harbour to the ecosystem. Building on connections formed through the Invest NI delegation “Atlantic Exchange” event we hosted in Halifax in 2025, we look forward to NIMO’s innovators and Belfast Harbour’s experience contributing to trialing new solutions across our growing global network.”
To mark the beginning of their membership, NIMO and Belfast Harbour will attend the Valencia PIN plenary in October, which will focus on strategy, port resilience and a day at the Valencia Digital Summit’s Port Entrepreneurship and International Congress (PEIC).
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