News

On March 19, 2026, another in-person meeting of the Hub Azul Network took place at the IPMA facilities in Olhão. The session brought together representatives from the various hubs within the network, fostering moments of knowledge sharing, strategic alignment, and strengthened cooperation between regions. Representatives from all members of the Olhão Hub Azul consortium were also present, namely the Municipality of Olhão, Docapesca, the University of Algarve, and S2AQUAcoLAB.

During the meeting, the business model currently being developed by Deloitte for the Hub Azul Network was presented and discussed, serving as a key structural element for the initiative’s sustainability and future growth. Updates were also shared on the different ongoing programs and initiatives, particularly in the areas of Ideation, Acceleration, Venture Building, and the Think Tank dedicated to aquaculture.

The meeting also included a detailed status update on all network hubs, allowing participants to identify progress, challenges, and opportunities for synergy across different regions. As a final moment, members had the opportunity to visit the ongoing construction of the Hub Azul building in Olhão, where they observed the foundational structure of future offices, laboratories, and collaborative workspaces that are part of this strategic project, which will strengthen the region’s capacity for innovation and development in the blue economy.

This meeting reaffirms the Hub Azul Network’s commitment to fostering collaboration among stakeholders, driving innovation, and positioning Portugal as an international reference in the ocean economy.