Escola Europea presents Port Virtual Lab at the NEXUS International Conference

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Digitalisation & Smart Ports

We took PVL.ONE to NEXUS DGTMP 2026 in Sines and Setúbal

Last week, we joined ports, universities and logistics experts in Sines and Setúbal to talk about digital transformation and the green transition of maritime ports — and to show how immersive simulation is shaping the skills of tomorrow.

22–25 June 2026
Sines & Setúbal, Portugal

We took PVL.ONE on the road. From 22 to 25 June, we joined the NEXUS International Conference – DGTMP 2026 (Digital and Green Transition in Maritime Ports: Trends and Challenges), held in Sines and Setúbal, Portugal, as part of the NEXUS Agenda, a project funded by Portugal’s PRR to drive innovation in transport, logistics and mobility.

The conference brought together universities, port authorities, companies and international experts to discuss one of the sector’s defining challenges: how ports can become both more digital and more sustainable, without leaving people and skills behind.

What we’re presenting

PVL.ONE: simulation as a training ground

We presented PVL.ONE (Port Virtual Lab) and the work we’re doing in immersive learning, simulation and the digitalisation of logistics and port operations. PVL.ONE recreates a port community in a virtual environment, giving learners a space to practise real operational decisions before they ever set foot on a quay.

For us, this is about more than technology. Digital twins and simulation tools only matter if they help people build the skills the ports of the future will actually need — and that was very much the conversation we had in Sines and Setúbal.

Orlando Reveco presenting the Port Virtual Lab platform during the NEXUS Conference

“Digital transformation in logistics is not just about adopting new technologies—it’s about preparing people to use them effectively. With Port Virtual Lab, we create realistic learning environments where participants can develop the practical skills, confidence and collaborative mindset needed to operate in the ports of the future.”

— Orlando Reveco, Digital Product Manager, Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport

About the conference

NEXUS DGTMP 2026

DGTMP 2026 is part of the broader NEXUS Agenda, bringing together academic, institutional and industry voices to explore the digital and green transition of maritime ports. It was exactly the kind of space we like to be in: where innovation, training and real port operations meet.

Event details

22–25 June 2026  ·  Sines & Setúbal, Portugal  ·  Full programme: dgtmp2026.ips.pt

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to see PVL.ONE in action and talk ports, digitalisation and the future of maritime training with us.

Escola Europea explores cooperation with Ibn Zohr University to strengthen logistics education in Morocco

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The Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport continues to strengthen its collaboration with higher education institutions across the Mediterranean. During a recent visit to Agadir, representatives of the Escola met with Ibn Zohr University (Université Ibn Zohr – UIZ) to explore opportunities for cooperation in transport, logistics and international trade education.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both institutions to present their educational activities, exchange experiences, and discuss how closer collaboration could contribute to developing the next generation of logistics professionals in Morocco.

Founded in 1989, Ibn Zohr University is one of Morocco’s largest public universities, serving five regions in the south of the country—Souss-Massa, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab and Drâa-Tafilalet. Through campuses in Agadir, Aït Melloul, Ouarzazate, Taroudant, Laâyoune, Guelmim, Smara and Dakhla, the university plays a key role in higher education and regional development.

The meeting was attended by Hossine El Ihssini, Deputy Director in charge of Pedagogical Affairs, and Fouad Achemchem, Deputy Director for Cooperation, who welcomed Eduard Rodés, Director of the Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport.

From left to right: Fouad Achemchem, Deputy Director for Cooperation; Eduard Rodés, Director of the Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport; and Hossine El Ihssini, Deputy Director in charge of Pedagogical Affairs at Ibn Zohr University, during the meeting held in Agadir to explore future cooperation in logistics and transport education.

During the discussions, the Escola presented its practical approach to logistics education, its international training activities, and its digital learning initiatives, including the Port Virtual Lab (PVL)—the online simulation platform that allows students and professionals to experience international transport operations through realistic, collaborative scenarios.

One of the key topics explored was the potential integration of Ibn Zohr University into the Port Virtual Lab network. Such cooperation would enable students to participate in simulation-based learning activities alongside participants from other universities and professional training programmes, strengthening both their technical knowledge and their international collaboration skills.

Beyond student participation, both institutions also discussed opportunities to involve other organisations from the Agadir region, creating stronger links between academia, industry and the local logistics ecosystem. This collaborative approach reflects a shared commitment to preparing professionals capable of responding to the rapidly evolving challenges facing transport, ports and international supply chains.

The meeting marks an important first step towards building a long-term partnership between the Escola Europea and Ibn Zohr University, further reinforcing the Escola’s mission of promoting practical, international and collaborative education throughout the Mediterranean region.