Port of San Diego Releases Seventh Edition of its Blue Economy Incubator Highlights Report

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The Port of San Diego has released the seventh edition of its Blue Economy Incubator Highlights Report, showcasing a decade of innovation, new international partnerships, and the growing impact of companies developing sustainable solutions for the maritime economy. The report features the program’s impact in numbers and local, national and international media coverage, including stories highlighting one of the incubator’s newest companies VoltSafe.

As a leader for the region’s blue economy, the Port established its Blue Economy Incubator (BEI) in 2016 as a launch pad for sustainable shellfish and seaweed aquaculture and port-related blue technology business ventures. As the program marks its 10th anniversary, the BEI remains the only port-led incubator of its kind in the world and plays a central role in uniting government, business, conservation and academia to drive innovative solutions that support economic growth and environmental sustainability.

"The Blue Economy Incubator demonstrates what's possible when innovation, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity come together," said Chair Ann Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “The accomplishments highlighted in this report reflect the ingenuity of our incubator companies and the Port's commitment to fostering technologies that create high-quality jobs, support sustainable growth, and reinforce our region's leadership in the blue economy."

The report highlights two new Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles and the Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation that expand opportunities for collaboration and innovation. The program's growing international reach and partnerships with organizations around the world allow the Port's BEI to identify more promising companies and strengthen an ecosystem that supports startup growth.

The program’s impact in numbers in the past year includes:

Program Growth

• 14 pilot projects launched through a port-wide collaboration process, with more coming soon.

• $3.3 million in funding to support the launch of sustainable aquaculture and blue tech pilot projects.

• $9.1 million in additional research and development and grant funding leveraged by BEI companies.

Global Reach

• 617 million impressions from local, national, and global media coverage including NBC 7 San Diego, FOX5 San Diego, KPBS, KUSI, Nexstar Media Group, and Europe Says

• 35 panels and other forms of speaking engagements across the world have prominently featured the BEI and their leadership team helping our program reach an international audience of innovators.

Environmental Impact

• An additional 1,060 linear feet, or about three football fields laid end to end, of ECOncrete’s Coastalock at two locations in San Diego Bay.

• More than 60 different species, including sessile species, mobile invertebrates, fish, and algae found living on ECOncrete’s original installation of its bio-enhancing shoreline protection armor units.

• Five VoltSafe units installed at Sun Harbor Marina and two units installed at Shelter Cove Marina with more locations coming soon.

• 600 pounds of edible seaweed is produced weekly by Sunken Seaweed.

Through the end of June 2026, the Board of Port Commissioners has approved 14 agreements with early-stage companies to launch innovative pilot projects in and around San Diego Bay. PortXchange, an award-winning emissions and reporting platform, is the latest addition to the BEI. Their product, EmmissionInsider Carbon Insights Suite, will provide real-time emissions intelligence that helps ports improve operational efficiency, reduce vessel emissions, and accelerate decarbonization through data-driven decision making. The real-time emissions intelligence also complements the Port’s decarbonization objectives as outlined in the Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS) objectives.

Earlier in 2026, the Board approved an agreement with Lux Bio, a bioluminescent, non-toxic, and biodegradable lighting solution. Their product uses a proprietary bioluminescence enzyme that offers cost effective and sustainable solutions to various sectors such as safety, entertainment, and environmental protection. Lux Bio aims to eliminate single-use plastic and chemiluminescence (glow sticks) by harnessing their patented enzyme-powered lightning technology.

The Port remains proud to lead and champion entrepreneurs, researchers, public agencies, and community partners to help shape a more resilient, sustainable, and prosperous blue economy. As the BEI enters its second decade, the Port continues expanding partnerships and pilot projects that position San Diego’s Blue Tech Bay as a global leader in the blue economy. Learn more about the Port of San Diego’s Blue Economy Incubator and read the full report at portofsandiego.org/blueeconomy.