The Port of San Diego has officially welcomed VoltSafe Inc., an electrification startup, as the latest participant in its Blue Economy Incubator (BEI). The port’s Board of Port Commissioners approved the one-year pilot project on Tuesday, granting VoltSafe $250,000 to deploy its smart marina and shore power technology.

VoltSafe becomes the 12th company to join the BEI, which was launched in 2016 to attract sustainable ocean-based technologies to the region. The startup aims to enhance safety and efficiency at the port’s marinas by replacing traditional pronged plugs with a magnetic connection system. According to the port, this innovation reduces risks associated with electrical shocks, corrosion and other hazards common in marine environments.

In addition to its hardware, VoltSafe’s system includes software that provides marina operators with real-time data on power usage and demand at individual slips—offering a smarter, more responsive infrastructure solution.

“Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation, it’s powered by people with vision, creativity, and courage to challenge the status quo,” said Danielle Moore, Chair of the Port Board. “Through our Blue Economy Incubator, the Port of San Diego is proud to support forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are turning bold ideas into real-world solutions and creating a more sustainable waterfront for all.”

VoltSafe CEO and Co-Founder Trevor Burgess called the partnership a transformative moment for the marine industry.

“The Port of San Diego’s Blue Economy Incubator is a global first, and partnering with them signals more than a milestone, it’s proof that VoltSafe’s patented shore power hardware and SaaS platform isn’t just raising the bar, it’s rewriting the standard,” Burgess said. “Legacy solutions can’t deliver the environmental, economic, and social returns we can. As the marine industry races toward smarter, low-carbon infrastructure, this collaboration positions VoltSafe at the center of that transformation.”

Of the 12 pilot projects launched through the BEI, four have been completed. In exchange for funding or in-kind support, the port receives royalties from the businesses’ operations or technologies. Since the incubator’s inception, the Port of San Diego has committed $2.35 million in funding.