PEMA launches AI-focused student challenge

PEMA is inviting students from around the world to develop AI solutions improving port productivity, safety and environmental performance

The Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) has announced the topic for its 2026/2027 Student Challenge, inviting undergraduate and postgraduate students worldwide to explore how artificial intelligence can improve operational decision-making across ports and terminals while enhancing productivity, safety and environmental performance.

Now entering its 13th year, the competition was renamed in 2022 in honour of the late Ottonel Popesco, a former PEMA president. Participation has continued to grow, with the 2025/2026 edition recording its strongest year to date. Four finalist teams represented Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in India and KEDGE Business School in France.

Following a webinar in which finalists presented their proposals to a panel of industry experts, the winning entry was selected from the competing teams. The judging panel comprised Pat O’Leary, PEMA head of technology; Lisette Stinis, chief executive of Stinis and Alois Recktenwald, senior key expert at Siemens.

This story was originally published by Port Strategy. Read the full story at Port Strategy →