SEA-EU has reinforced its strategic collaboration with port authorities during its participation in The International Maritime Transport and Logistics Conference (MARLOG 15), held in Egypt from 8 to 10 February 2026 under the theme “Smart & Resilient Logistics Corridors: Future Gateway to the Green Trade”
SEA-EU participation followed an invitation from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), facilitated through the Algeciras Bay Port Authority (APBA) and within the framework of its involvement in the MEDPorts Association. This engagement reflects SEA-EU growing international outreach and its commitment to strengthening Mediterranean cooperation between higher education institutions and key maritime stakeholders.
Representing SEA-EU, Fernando Perez, General Director of the alliance, delivered the presentation entitled “From Stakeholders to Strategic Partners: Engaging Port Authorities in the SEA-EU Alliance.” The presentation highlighted how port authorities can evolve from institutional stakeholders to fully-fledged strategic partners within the European University model. Particular emphasis was placed on the co-creation of international joint programmes and the development of targeted micro-credentials designed to address the real needs of the maritime and logistics sector.
By integrating port authorities into the academic ecosystem, SEA-EU advances an innovative model of cooperation that connects education, research and professional practice. This approach supports the green and digital transition of maritime corridors while strengthening regional resilience and competitiveness. A key element of this model is the role of the Algeciras Bay Port Authority as an associated member of SEA-EU and chair of the alliance’s Port Council, a pioneering governance structure that connects port authorities from across the nine SEA-EU partner countries. At MARLOG 15, Luis Núñez Vera and Álvaro Sebastián Fernández, from APBA’s Strategy Department, also contributed to reinforcing the European and international dimension of this collaboration.
The conference also opened avenues for potential cooperation between SEA-EU and AASTMT. Discussions are ongoing regarding possible academic and training collaborations, particularly with Prof. Alaa Mahmoud Morsy, Dean of the Port Training Institute & Maritime Research & Consultation Center, exploring opportunities to expand SEA-EU Mediterranean and global partnerships. SEA-EU participation in MARLOG 15 demonstrates the alliance’s capacity to generate territorial impact through strategic engagement with port ecosystems. By transforming ports into active partners in education and innovation, SEA-EU continues to position itself as a leading European University alliance driving sustainable, resilient and globally connected coastal territories.
