A new project, the Portugal Blue Digital Hub (PBDH), is bringing together top national organisations to help the sector become more digital, sustainable, and competitive. At the heart of this project is ISQ, a Portuguese technology and training group, which is developing a digital learning platform to train workers and companies in the maritime world.

This platform will offer a wide range of online courses focused on essential skills for today and tomorrow, especially in digital tools and green practices. These include things like data analysis, blockchain, energy efficiency, and environmental protection. The goal is to prepare professionals for the growing demands of the blue economy, the part of the economy that depends on the sea, including shipping, ports, fishing, marine research, and ocean energy.

ISQ’s training platform will support small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), as well as public institutions in the maritime sector. The courses will follow international rules such as the STCW Convention, which ensures that seafarers are properly trained and certified. They will also match Portugal’s own National Qualifications Catalogue, meaning workers can earn recognized certifications that improve their chances of getting jobs both at home and abroad.

The Portugal Blue Digital Hub is more than just a training program. It is a national effort that includes many key partners from the world of science, education, innovation, and policy. Coordinated by Fórum Oceano, the project brings together institutions like ENIDH (Portuguese Maritime Academy), the University of Aveiro, CIIMAR, IPMA, and Beta-i, among others. Together, they aim to place Portugal at the forefront of the European maritime industry when it comes to digital innovation and sustainability.

The project covers eight strategic areas, from technology and data to funding and international partnerships. But at its core, it’s about giving people and companies the tools they need to adapt and grow in a fast-changing world.

Portugal has always had a strong connection to the sea. With projects like the Portugal Blue Digital Hub, the country is now showing leadership in how to care for and make the most of the ocean in a smart, sustainable way.

This is not just about the maritime sector, it’s about creating a better future for everyone, with new skills, greener industries, and more opportunities for the next generation.

Author

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes