The Port Authority of Valencia and the Polytechnic University of Valencia  sign an agreement to extend the facilities of the Research Institute for the Integrated Management of the Coastal Zone

Valenciaport authorises the occupation of the Fruit Sheds 6, 7 and 8 of the Port of Gandia by the PUV

Aurelio Martínez: “This is an action that reinforces Valenciaport’s commitment to the citizens to promote the local economy, increase tourist attraction and training”

The Port of Gandia will have nearly 1,000 square metres available for training and research in the marine field. The Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) and the Polytechnic University of Valencia (PUV) have signed an agreement to authorise the University to occupy Fruit Sheds 6, 7 and 8 located in the service area of the Port of Gandia for the extension of the facilities of the Research Institute for the Integrated Management of the Coastal Zone (IGIC).

The president of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV), Aurelio Martínez, signed the agreement this Monday with the rector of the PUV, José Capilla, which will allow the IGIC to increase its offer for research work and training practices for students on the Gandia campus. The mayor of Gandia, José Manuel Prieto, was also present at the signing.

For the rector of the PUV, “the signing of this agreement demonstrates the willingness of the Universitat Politècnica de València to expand the collaboration it maintains with the Port Authority of Valencia, in addition to promoting the teaching and research carried out from the Gandia Campus”. For his part, the mayor of Gandia has indicated that “this agreement is a first step towards an interaction with the city, for the benefit of innovation and the creation of opportunities”.

At present, the IGIC is developing the marine research technology laboratory in sheds 4 and 5, which includes hydroacoustic research facilities, as well as the occupation of a sheet of water surface for the anchoring of a marine cage, in which acoustic and optical measurements of aquaculture species will be carried out. As well as different types of sensors for different research projects.

With this initiative, the IGIC will extend and improve the facilities currently occupied in the Fruit Sheds 4 and 5, also occupying 6, 7 and 8. These facilities, which will be occupied by the UPV, will constitute the headquarters of the Joint Research Unit for Marine Studies Technology between the Spanish Institute of Oceanography and the UPV. In total, it will have nearly 1,000 square metres at its disposal for a period of eight years, extendable for a further two years, exempt from taxes as they are spaces destined for research.

“This agreement reinforces the relations and actions that the APV is already developing with the city of Gandia to promote the use of port spaces for citizens and to encourage training and research in the marine field,” said the head of Valenciaport. Along these lines, Aurelio Martínez recalled that “the APV and Gandia City Council have been working together for years to redesign the surroundings of the sheds to give them a use for the city, promoting spaces that will benefit the local economy and increase the tourist attraction of Gandia”.

In fact, the three finalist projects of the ideas competition for the sheds of the port of Gandia have recently been presented, which will enhance the value of this area of the port. All the proposals present a public and pedestrian walkway which will allow a connection between the two sides of the port, integrating the surroundings of the church of Sant Nicolau. The APV has allocated two million euros to develop this action which will convert this area into a space of opportunities and economic generation which will contribute to generating a friendly and comfortable environment for the local residents. In this sense, the APV and the town council also signed an agreement on the occasion of the project for the urbanisation of the surroundings of the church of Sant Nicolau del Grau.