Dalhousie University & the Halifax Port Authority announce research partnership for the PIER

Recognized for its outstanding quality of research and innovation, Dalhousie University will join “The PIER” at the Seaport. With leading global research in big data, maritime policy, and ocean science, among other fields, Dalhousie will help solve the persistent problems of the supply chain, transportation, and logistics industry with other PIER members.

The PIER, short for Port Innovation, Engagement and Research, is a global showcase for sector innovation in transportation, supply chain and logistics located in the historic Halifax Seaport district. Through bringing together a complementary mix of operating partners, innovators, tech companies and researchers, The PIER creates an environment where partners collaborate and innovate to tackle the persistent industry problems that no one party can solve. The PIER will open its doors on November 25, 2021.

The PIER community will benefit from Dalhousie’s cutting-edge research projects which are aligned with big data, artificial intelligence, and logistics, and will also enjoy access to cross-faculty expertise in areas which include marine law, urban planning, and engineering. Through Dalhousie, members of The PIER will access programs that fall under the “Dal Innovates” umbrella. With natural areas of alignment between Dalhousie’s DeepSense and The PIER including ocean innovation, AI, machine learning and sustainability, DeepSense will be residing in The PIER.

“Dalhousie is very pleased to be the research partner for The PIER,” says Alice Aiken, Dalhousie Vice-President Research and Innovation. “Dalhousie will bring world class research talent to help solve the problems of The PIER members. In addition, through our suite of innovation programming and expertise we will work together to help grow the start-up community in the marine transportation sector.”

“A key strength of The PIER is the diversity of its membership. Having different transportation and supply chain partners and stakeholders all working under the same roof will create the conditions for the free flow of ideas, and that will lead to innovative solutions that will have benefits that reach beyond those traditional sectors. By tapping into Dalhousie’s research and innovation capabilities, members of The PIER will have additional support needed to drive meaningful innovation across the logistics and transportation industry,” said Captain Allan Gray, President and CEO of the Halifax Port Authority.

DeepSense, as a member in The PIER, will create direct access to research capabilities for PIER members. As a resident member, Dalhousie will have access to meeting, classroom, and event room facilities. The infrastructure of this shared space will benefit DeepSense by its proximity to other ecosystem members and founding partners in this innovation environment and access to a global network of industry players, regulators, and other collaborators.