A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed to mark bilateral cooperation and digital innovation in maritime technologies between German and Latvian public and private sector partners to address 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 the key challenges in the port and maritime sector, as well as to develop practical solutions in maritime digitalization with a goal to arrive at joint proof-of-concept (PoC) demonstrations. The signatories agree to implement the demonstrations within two years’ time.
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. The Port of Hamburg is known as Germany’s “gateway to the world”, and is the third-busiest port in Europe.
“With our neighbors along the shores of the Baltic Sea, we are not only sharing similar challenges but are committed to addressing them together by sharing knowledge, good practice and by collaborating in a very practical way. We are very much looking forward to furthering this exchange that takes place not only on paper, but in real life in both our ports.” – Senator Dr Melanie Leonhard, Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
“I look forward to the joint 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.” – Jens Meier, CEO, Hamburg Port Authority
“Ports are vital engines of economic development, security, and competitiveness across the European region. Today’s workshop was a concrete step toward addressing our shared challenges in port infrastructure management, pioneering digital innovations, and achieving operational excellence in the Baltic Sea region. Our focus was clear – to chart a practical path forward with solutions that are technologically advanced and align with the strategic needs of all stakeholders involved. As a technical services provider for the ports, this emphasis on practical digital solutions is crucial for enhancing efficiency.” – Kaspars Ozolins, Member of the Board of LVR Flote
The goal of the memorandum will be achieved by creating two workgroups, each tasked with addressing their own set of challenges:
The Port Connectivity Working Group – with a focus on the implementation of mobile network infrastructure, including 5G private networks.
The Smart Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Working Group – with a focus on intelligent infrastructure monitoring, AI-driven analytics, and cybersecurity.
Each workgroup has already met and identified key activities, which are aimed to implement within the defined two-year period. The workgroups will be overseen by LMT Innovation Development Lead Arturs Lindenbergs, who will be responsible for ensuring alignment with strategic goals across stakeholders and overseeing the implementation of the goals.
“I’m incredibly proud of this significant step forward in bilateral collaboration between Latvia and Germany. By tackling joint challenges in the Baltic Sea through digital innovation in maritime technologies, we are not only strengthening our economic ties but also setting a precedent for collective action on crucial issues affecting our shared maritime future.” – Viktors Valainis, Minister for Economics of Latvia
The Latvian and German partners have a longstanding history of collaboration in the port sector. This collaboration was significantly catalysed by the official visit of Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economy and Innovation at the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, to Riga in early 2024, which laid the groundwork for more structured bilateral engagement. In the spring of 2024, a Latvian delegation traveled to Hamburg to present solutions to port digitalization practices. Later that summer, Hamburg and Lübeck port representatives participated in a 5G demonstration in Riga, organized by LMT, LVR Flote, and the Freeport of Riga, to trial connectivity solutions adapted to port and maritime applications.
“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 (IAHP) 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.” – Ingmārs Pūkis, Vice President of LMT
The workgroups will meet for followup meetings and matchmaking workshops, during which they will define detailed work plans and begin coordination of pilot activities.
This maritime digitalization collaboration is led by key partners — LMT, LVR Flote, the Freeport of Riga, and the Electronic Communications Office of Latvia — and is taking shape within the framework of the Techritory platform, where maritime digitalization remains a priority area for continued development this year.
The event is organised by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia within the framework of the Innovative Business Development Programme for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with the support of the European Regional Development Fund.
Hamburg, June 19, 2025
Photo: Felix Zahn, Photothek
