Massport Blue Edge
Charting the future of maritime innovation and the blue economy in Boston
Massport Blue Edge brings together longstanding maritime industry leaders with innovators, accelerators and entrepreneurs to help businesses thrive. Driven by strong partnerships with Massport tenants and stakeholders, this initiative aims to strengthen Boston’s position as a global destination for blue economy and maritime businesses.
Partnering for progress in Boston’s blue economy
For nearly 70 years, Massport has worked to strengthen Boston as a global maritime hub. The Massport Blue Edge initiative continues that mission by leveraging our experience, relationships, and real estate assets to promote economic development in the blue economy. Our team is ready to work with you to unlock opportunities for testing, partnerships, and more.
What is the blue economy?
The blue economy represents a wide range of ocean-related businesses and industries, from seafood and shipping to cruise and tourism, marine robotics and sensors to aquaculture and climate tech. It is where Boston’s maritime heritage combines with innovation to shape our working waterfront, supporting businesses, jobs, and our marine ecosystem.
Port of Boston Blue Economy TechHub
The Port of Boston was recently designated as a Blue Economy TechHub through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s TechHub program. Massport is excited to leverage this designation to work with key stakeholders to strengthen the region’s maritime innovation ecosystem and create more opportunities for ocean-focused companies to thrive in Boston.
Resources
Explore resources and available office and light industrial space designed to support maritime and blue economy businesses. From waterfront facilities to innovation-ready sites, Massport's Blue Edge team connects you with opportunities to grow in Boston’s thriving maritime economy.
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Work with Massport's Blue Edge team
Massport is open for business! Reach out to us with questions or ideas.
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Boston’s Blue Economy in Action
Collaboration fueling innovation
Holland America Line, Flynn Cruiseport Boston's third largest cruise line, has a keen focus on global sustainability initiatives and a goal to source as much local food as possible for their Canada/New England cruises. Through a partnership with John Nagle & Company from the South Boston Seafood Industry Cluster, Holland America is sourcing local seafood for their weekly Port of Boston homeport such as cod, haddock, arctic char and lobsters for their passengers to enjoy. This partnership is providing a unique cruise passenger experience while supporting local seafood businesses, driving economic impact and delighting Holland America’s customers.
Image credit: © 2023 Masaharu Morimoto. All Rights Reserved, MM Management, LLC
Resiliency innovation
The Emerald Tutu project is an environmental initiative aimed at protecting coastal areas from the impacts of climate change. Networks of floating structures made from biodegradable materials form a “tutu” around the shore, acting as floating wetlands to protect shorelines from sea level rise and storm surges while also supporting the growth of aquatic plants and shellfish. We worked with the Emerald Tutu team and Boston Harbor Shipyard & Marina, our tenant in East Boston, to install 10 floating biomasses in Boston Harbor as a prototype for a larger future installation.
Advancing sustainability in the blue economy
A Massport tenant at the Boston Fish Pier, Polkadog Bakery, transforms seafood waste into pet treats by collaborating with local vendors and seafood companies to repurpose residual fish parts that are otherwise discarded. The Polkadog team’s innovative approach helps advance sustainability in the blue economy while building a leading brand in the pet food industry, a great example of different areas of expertise coming together to drive economic growth.