PORThack Elbląg 2026 - Innovative Solutions for the Future of Ports and Third Place for the STG ERB Team

On 23 October 2026, the international PORThack Elbląg 2026 hackathon took place in Elbląg, bringing together representatives of academia, business and institutions involved in the maritime and port sectors. The event focused on developing innovative solutions to real challenges faced by ports. A team representing the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic (STG ERB) and Gdańsk University of Technology won third place in the competition with their concept, PORT-WISE – Ports & Water Intelligence for Sustainable Ecosystems.

Cooperation for Innovation in the Port Sector

PORThack Elbląg 2026 brought together scientific knowledge, industry experience and creative approaches to addressing real challenges in the port sector. Participants worked together to explore solutions supporting sustainable development, innovation and the resilience of port infrastructure to environmental challenges.

The event was opened by Arkadiusz Zgliński, representing the Port of Elbląg, and Konstantinos Madias from SUBMARINER Network / EIT Water. An important part of the programme was a study visit to the Port of Elbląg, where participants had the opportunity to learn about its infrastructure, operations and development plans.

From Real Challenges to Innovative Concepts

During the hackathon, interdisciplinary teams worked on challenges related to sustainable water management, pollution reduction, the circular economy, digitalisation and port infrastructure security.

With support from mentors and experts, participants developed concepts addressing the challenges presented during the competition. Their proposals were then presented to a jury, which evaluated them in terms of innovation, potential impact, feasibility and opportunities for practical implementation.

PORT-WISE – Third Place for STG ERB and Gdańsk University of Technology

Among the award-winning teams was the group representing the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic and Gdańsk University of Technology, which secured third place with its concept, PORT-WISE – Ports & Water Intelligence for Sustainable Ecosystems.

The proposed solution involves developing an integrated smart water management system for port areas. It combines blue-green infrastructure, nature-based solutions (NBS), rainwater retention and treatment, circular economy principles and modern monitoring technologies.

The concept aims to help reduce flood risks, improve water quality, use resources more efficiently and strengthen the resilience of port infrastructure to the impacts of climate change. It was developed with the Port of Elbląg in mind, including the planned Terminal 2, with the potential for further development and application in other ports.

The award-winning team consisted of Marcin Żuchowski, Director of the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic, Prof. Magdalena Gajewska, Dr Eng. Grażyna Gałęzowska, Alicja Kupczyk and Radosław Kujawski from Gdańsk University of Technology.

International Cooperation and Knowledge Exchange

PORThack Elbląg 2026 was not only a competition for innovative ideas but also an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience and establish connections between representatives of different sectors. The event concluded with a networking session, allowing participants to discuss potential cooperation and opportunities to further develop the concepts presented.

The event demonstrated how cooperation between academia, business and institutions can contribute to developing practical solutions that support the sustainable development of port infrastructure.

PORThack Elbląg 2026 was organised by SUBMARINER Network and the Port of Elbląg Authority, with support from EIT Water and the Grundfos Foundation.

Photo coverage: obiektywni.pro – photography and video for business.