Posted on June 23, 2025
The Port of Hamburg, Freeport of Riga and LMT have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at addressing challenges in port infrastructure management in the Baltic Sea.
The signatories include LMT, the Freeport of Riga, the Port of Hamburg, the Electronic Communications Office of Latvia, the Fleet of Hamburg, and LVR Flote.
The objectives of the memorandum are twofold: to identify key challenges in the port and maritime sector, and to develop practical solutions in maritime digitalisation, to arrive at joint proof-of-concept (PoC) demonstrations. The signatories agree to implement the demonstrations within a two-year period.
The memorandum was signed at the Port of Hamburg aboard the “DIPLOMAT”, in the presence of Hamburg’s Senator for Innovation and Economy, Melanie Leonhard, and the Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry for Economics of Latvia, Jurģis Miezainis.
It will be implemented through two working groups, each focused on different areas:
- Port Connectivity Working Group – focusing on the implementation of mobile network infrastructure, including 5G private networks.
- Smart Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Working Group – focusing on intelligent infrastructure monitoring, AI-driven analytics, and cybersecurity.
Both groups have already convened and identified key activities for the two years.
The groups will be overseen by LMT Innovation Development Lead Arturs Lindenbergs, responsible for ensuring alignment with strategic goals and overseeing implementation.
The Latvian and German partners have a longstanding collaboration in the port sector.
This cooperation was catalysed by the official visit of Dr Melanie Leonhard to Riga in early 2024, followed by a Latvian delegation’s visit to Hamburg, and a 5G demonstration in Riga in summer 2024 organised by LMT, LVR Flote, and the Freeport of Riga.
The workgroups will continue meeting through follow-up sessions and matchmaking workshops, where they will define detailed work plans and coordinate pilot activities.
This collaboration is led by LMT, LVR Flote, the Freeport of Riga, and the Electronic Communications Office of Latvia, within the framework of the Techritory platform, where maritime digitalisation remains a priority.
The event was organised by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia as part of the Innovative Business Development Programme for SMEs, with support from the European Regional Development Fund.
Jens Meier, CEO, Hamburg Port Authority, said: “I look forward to the cooperation that we are beginning with the signing of this document. Exchanging ideas and learning together is invaluable in general, but especially when it comes to technology. This is strengthened by cooperation such as this.”
Ingmārs Pūkis, Vice President of LMT, concluded: “Ports are a critical part of national and international infrastructure. It’s equally important that they adopt new technologies to not only improve security and resilience but also increase their capabilities to future-proof their operations.
“With LMT, we’ve been fine-tuning maritime connectivity for several years, for which we also won the prestigious International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) sustainability award in the Digitalization category, beating 71 ports. This is the future of port management, and Riga and Hamburg will be leading the way.”
Earlier this month, representatives from the Hamburg Port Authority and Ocean Network Express signed an agreement to advance the use of shore power in the Port of Hamburg.
