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The "MIIN in Mayo" event, taking place on October 3-4, 2024, in Westport, Ireland, features two parts. On the evening of October 3rd, attendees can network over refreshments at the Knockranny House Hotel. On October 4th, there will be presentations from blue bioeconomy industry experts and Irish success stories, followed by a guided tour of the Marine Institute’s Newport Facilities. Attendees will explore aquaculture systems, labs, and fish-rearing facilities, with the event concluding with a networking lunch back in Westport. More info can be found at MIIN in Mayo - Blue Bioeconomy Perspectives | Marine Ireland (marine-ireland.ie)

Sea Tech Week 2024, scheduled for October 15-17 in Brest, France, is a significant event in the field of marine science and technology, fostering international collaboration. This biennial event will explore various themes, including marine renewable energy, maritime safety and security, underwater robotics, digital technologies, and sustainable fisheries. It will feature over 30 workshops, plenary sessions, a trade show, B2B meetings, and networking events to facilitate partnerships and innovations. The Irish delegation will participate, highlighting Ireland’s role in marine research. Organized by Technopôle Brest-Iroise, this event aligns with the UN Decade of Ocean Science objectives, aiming to drive sustainable development and innovation in the marine sector. For more details, visit Sea Tech Week 2024 and Atlantic Area Event

The Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), with the support of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), is organizing a high-level event in Brussels on 17 October 2024. The focus of this event is the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE), an EU initiative designed to enhance interoperability among the surveillance systems of EU Member States, facilitating secure access to classified and unclassified information for better maritime security and response. The event will review the progress of CISE, which started its operational phase in July 2024, and discuss its future in the face of growing maritime threats. It will provide a platform for EU policymakers, representatives from Member States, EU Agencies, and other stakeholders to share their insights and plan the way forward. The event will be held at the Thon Hotel EU in Brussels, featuring coffee and lunch breaks for networking. While participants need to cover their travel and accommodation expenses, special hotel rates are available nearby. Interested attendees are encouraged to register by 4th October, with confirmations sent via email. For more details or inquiries, contact CISEevent@gopacom.eu.

The SMI Annual Conference 2024, taking place on September 10-11 at The Millennium Point in Birmingham, will spotlight "Driving Decarbonisation, Digitalisation, and Autonomy" in the maritime supply chain and marine science and technology fields. The event opens with registration and a keynote address, leading into sessions focused on the UK shipbuilding enterprise and decarbonisation. Highlights include discussions on government procurement strategies, the shipyard response to green initiatives, electrification, achieving net zero carbon emissions, and ESG principles. The day ends with a reception and dinner, featuring a speech by SMI Chair Brian Johnson. Day two addresses digitalisation in the maritime sector, beginning with talks on current trends, data management, AI applications, and digital fuel management. Key speakers include representatives from 90POE, Ensemble Analytics, BAE Systems Digital, and Kongsberg Maritime Limited. These sessions emphasize building a digital future and enhancing cyber confidence within the supply chain. Following a panel discussion and a networking luncheon, the focus shifts to autonomy in maritime operations. The afternoon session delves into the regulatory and operational aspects of maritime autonomy, with presentations on regulatory frameworks, defense applications, and the challenges of underwater battlespace. Experts from MCA, Atlas Elektronik, ACUA Ocean, Thales, and Robosys will share insights on developing autonomous systems and fostering international talent for intelligent operations. The conference wraps up with a final panel discussion and closing address by the SMI CEO.

The 2024 3rd GloFouling R&D Forum and Exhibition on Biofouling Prevention and Management for Maritime Industries, held from November 5-8 at The Westin Josun Busan Hotel in Busan, Republic of Korea, offers a critical opportunity for the port industry to engage with the latest advancements in biofouling management. Jointly organized by the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships project and the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO), and hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, this event will focus on shaping the future of biofouling management. The R&D Forum programme will cover the following key topics: Invasive aquatic species (IAS) and their impacts Innovative solutions for biofouling management Monitoring, testing, early detection and rapid response IAS and biofouling management in MPAs and PSSAs Biofouling on ships: fuel efficiency and GHG emissions Policy developments and compliance Managing biofouling in ports, shipyards and drydocks Women in biofouling These topics are crucial for port operations, as effective biofouling management can significantly enhance fuel efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure compliance with evolving policies. Additionally, the forum will address the prevention and control of invasive species in sensitive areas, highlighting the environmental responsibilities of port authorities. The event also underscores the importance of gender equality in the maritime sector. Port industry stakeholders are invited to submit proposals for presentations and posters by June 15, 2024, to contribute to these vital discussions. For more information and to stay updated on exhibitor opportunities, visit the forum’s website or contact the GloFouling Team at glofouling@imo.org. This forum is a unique chance for port professionals to learn, share knowledge, and network with experts dedicated to improving biofouling management practices globally. More information at: 3rd GloFouling R&D forum (glofoulingproject.wixsite.com)

The "Extreme Maritime Weather: Bridging the Knowledge Gap Towards Safer Shipping" Symposium, set for 23-26 September 2024 at the IMO Headquarters in London, aims to address the significant risks posed by extreme maritime weather events. These events threaten ships, endanger lives, damage property, harm the marine environment, and impact the global blue economy. Building on the inaugural symposium in 2019, this event will focus on the latest developments in weather forecasting and safety measures. It aligns with the World Maritime Theme 2024 "Navigating the future: safety first!" and supports the UN Decade on Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the UN Early Warnings for All initiatives. The four-day programme features sessions on various aspects of maritime weather safety. Day one includes opening remarks and discussions on the impacts of extreme weather and the importance of weather and ocean observations. Day two covers the digitalization of metocean information and enhancing knowledge opportunities for seafarers. Day three focuses on improving weather warnings and forecasts through better products and services, while the final day emphasizes strengthening collaboration and summarizing the symposium's findings. Participation is open to IMO and WMO Member States, UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs, and other stakeholders, with mandatory registration required. The symposium underscores the urgent need for collaboration between the maritime and metocean communities to mitigate the risks of extreme weather to ships. Despite advancements in weather forecasting, incidents involving extreme weather continue to pose severe threats to shipping. The event builds on key issues identified in 2019, such as the need for better understanding and use of meteorological and ocean data, particularly for ships operating in polar regions and those not covered by mandatory IMO standards. By enhancing maritime safety information and warnings through the IMO/WMO Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service, the symposium aims to improve the safety of seafarers and ensure the resilience of global supply chains.

The project aims to deliver significant and verifiable progress towards the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” goals. This includes demonstrable progress towards multiple objectives of the Mission as outlined in the Mission Implementation Plan. It also aims to support Member States, regional, and local authorities, along with other stakeholders, in implementing EU marine and freshwater ecosystem legislation, contributing to the biodiversity, pollution, and climate targets of the European Green Deal. Additionally, the project seeks to engage and mobilize Mission communities such as regions, ports, cities, and islands to accelerate the achievement of Mission objectives. Leveraging resources and investments from community actors to restore oceans, seas, and waters is another crucial aspect. The project also focuses on increasing local readiness to deploy innovative solutions at scale for ocean, seas, and water restoration. During the deployment and upscaling phase (Phase 2 starting in 2026), the Mission aims for broad participation across the EU, with strong citizen, stakeholder, and community governance. Transitioning from development and piloting (Phase 1) to deployment requires mobilizing various actors to undertake significant actions for ocean, seas, and water restoration. Therefore, support is needed for established and emerging community actors to implement innovative actions at scale. Each proposed action should address one of the four basins under the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” and provide three types of support.Each proposed action should address one of the four basins under the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” and provide: Cascading Grants to Community-led Pilot Actions: Award at least five cascading grants (EUR 200,000 - EUR 2 million each) to community-led pilot actions implementing innovative solutions. Ensure a transparent, objective, and fair selection process for third parties receiving financial support. Promote cascading grant calls at various levels to reach potential applicants. The third-party actions should focus on ambitious progress towards Mission objectives, combining technological, nature-based, social, cultural, regulatory, financial innovation, and new governance models. Encourage collaboration with scientific institutions and inclusion of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines. Build on research and innovation from previous EU programmes and make use of resources like Copernicus/Galileo/EGNOS and Emodnet. Attract additional financing from various funds or private sources. Cascading Grants for Transition Agendas: Award at least 20 grants (up to EUR 100,000 each) for transition agendas. Transition agendas are strategic roadmaps to meet Mission objectives, focusing on local community needs. Ensure the selection process is transparent, objective, and fair. Entities developing transition agendas must report progress within six months. Technical Assistance to Mission Communities: Provide tailored technical assistance for business plans, feasibility studies, impact assessments, capacity building, and other support. Empower local stakeholders and encourage long-term commitment to ocean, seas, and water restoration. Promote clustering and networking among community-led actions for enhanced communication, collaboration, and impact. Assist in forming partnerships with local communities, NGOs, and stakeholders. Guide community-led actions in accessing additional funding and deploying feasible solutions. Ensure collaboration with other Horizon Europe projects, Mission lighthouse CSA projects, the Mission Implementation Platform, and other relevant initiatives. The types of Mission communities relevant to the cascading grants may include at least the following: ports (including inland ports); islands; fishing communities, aquaculture producers and other representatives of blue economy; operators of various vessels; Local Action Groups described by the Community-Led Local Development strategies [6] waterfront cities or regions / communities (avoiding overlaps with Cities’ Mission); conservation communities; representatives of the tourism sector; maritime infrastructure operators (incl. offshore platforms and their operators).

Call Title: Support for the Coalition of Waterfront Cities, Regions, and Islands for Mission Ocean and Waters Funding Programme: Horizon Europe Link to the call: Funding Tenders This Horizon Europe call aims to create and support a Coalition of waterfront cities, regions, and islands to protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems, prevent pollution, promote a sustainable blue economy, and enhance resilience against climate change. The initiative seeks to expand and strengthen the Coalition, ensuring equal representation from current and new members. Participating cities and ports will benefit from networking, mentoring, and sharing best practices to implement actions aligned with the Mission Ocean and Waters objectives. This call aims to coordinate and support a Coalition of islands, regions, and waterfront cities to achieve the Mission Ocean and Waters objectives. The project aims to: Form a broad Coalition protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems. Prevent and eliminate pollution and promote a sustainable blue economy. Enhance resilience against extreme climate events. Engage citizens and stakeholders at regional and local levels. Foster cooperation with relevant institutions and initiatives for better access to funding. Proposals should focus on establishing robust governance structures, developing participatory processes for local actions, and engaging citizens and stakeholders at regional and local levels. This includes targeted communication campaigns to raise awareness and educational initiatives to involve local communities and schools. Enhancing the visibility of Coalition activities and leveraging funds from EU, national, regional, and private sources are crucial to support the implementation of the Mission’s goals. Eligibility requires consortia to include representatives from at least one region, one waterfront city, and one island. Proposals must demonstrate financial and operational capacity, and evaluation criteria are detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme. This call offers a significant opportunity for ports and cities to collaborate on transformative projects for the health of oceans, seas, and inland waters, fostering sustainability and resilience in coastal and inland waterfront communities.

Maritime Decarbonisation, Europe is a comprehensive two-day conference scheduled for September 24-25, 2024 in Amsterdam, focused on the decarbonization and sustainable future of the maritime industry. It includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and roundtable sessions featuring industry leaders and experts. Day 1 kicks off with a welcome address and a session on regulatory directions and incentives, discussing updates from the IMO and funding opportunities from the European Commission. The day continues with sessions on the outlook for alternative fuels, examining trends in newbuild orders, agreements between shipping companies and fuel suppliers, and the economic outlook for efuels. The afternoon focuses on maturing alternative fuel supply chains, with discussions on signaling demand and mobilizing investment in alternative fuels, and concludes with roundtable discussions on various decarbonization topics. Day 2 opens with a welcome address from EGCSA and explores new perspectives on decarbonization pathways, including insights from freight owners and financiers. It also includes sessions on operational efficiency, emissions-reduction technologies, and scaling up decarbonization efforts for net zero, featuring panels on just-in-time strategies, ship design, hydrogen as a marine fuel, and carbon capture and storage technologies. The event aims to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and strategic collaborations necessary to drive the maritime industry towards a sustainable and decarbonized future.

The SMM 2024, taking place from 3 to 6 September in Hamburg, is the world's leading trade fair for the maritime industry. It will bring together over 2,000 exhibitors and around 40,000 participants from more than 120 countries. This year's focus is on decarbonization, artificial intelligence (AI), and the recruitment of young talent. In response to current geopolitical and environmental challenges, the event emphasizes the need for international cooperation to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, adapt to dynamic digital changes, and navigate uncertain global supply chains. Claus Ulrich Selbach of Hamburg Messe und Congress highlighted the importance of collaboration among shipping companies, suppliers, and shipyards to develop feasible technological solutions. The event will showcase innovations in both military and civil shipping, with exhibitors like NVL Group, MTU, and Kongsberg. The Future Fuels Area will feature companies specializing in alternative fuels like green hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia. There is significant international participation, with strong representation from Greece and leading shipbuilding countries such as China, Korea, and Japan. The Greek pavilion has notably doubled its size from 2018. For the first time, SMM will feature an AI CENTER where start-ups will present the latest AI technologies for the maritime industry. Additionally, the Maritime Career Market will support the recruitment of young talent through training and networking events. Overall, SMM 2024 aims to drive the maritime transition with a focus on energy and digital transformation, supported by a comprehensive conference program and numerous networking opportunities. The event is supported by major sponsors like DNV and other industry leaders.

Awarding Body: Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) Services/Products Involved: Technological, digital, and social innovations in German ports. Tender Scope: The IHATEC II funding initiative aims to support German ports in maintaining their role in national and international trade through innovative technologies. The funding focuses on enhancing climate and environmental protection, improving competitiveness, and optimizing logistics chains and IT infrastructure within ports. Procurement Procedure: The application process is two-staged: Submission of project sketches. Detailed formal applications for selected projects. Deadlines: Submission of project sketches: April 19, 2024. Place of Performance: German ports (seaports and inland ports). Project Goals: Introduce and establish product innovations and new port technologies. Enhance digital infrastructure and IT usage in ports and logistics chains. Improve IT systems and security. Create and secure jobs related to innovative port technologies. Main Components: Support for application-oriented R&D projects and feasibility studies. Emphasis on projects with clear application in seaports or inland ports. Focus on technological innovations, energy efficiency, and reduction of environmental impacts. Contact Information: Project Management: TÜV Rheinland Consulting GmbH, IHATEC Project Management, Am Grauen Stein, 51105 Köln. Technical Questions: Dr. Silke Marré, Tel: 0221/806 4174 Christoph Blask, Tel: 030/75687 4242 Administrative Questions: Franziska Kunze, Tel: 030/75687 4169 Email: ihatec@de.tuv.com Further details, guidelines, and application procedures can be found at IHATEC Program Website and through the Call for Funding 2024 Notice . Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the project management for guidance before submitting their project sketches.

Project Title: Innovativer Schiffbau sichert wettbewerbsfähige Arbeitsplätze (Innovative Shipbuilding Secures Competitive Jobs) Awarding Body: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) Purpose and Objectives: The primary objective of this funding directive is to enhance the competitiveness of German shipbuilding by promoting innovation. This initiative aims to develop marketable solutions to significant technological challenges, maintaining and expanding Germany's international market position in high-complexity special ships and offshore structures. The program seeks to secure long-term jobs and value chains at German shipbuilding locations, support sustainable growth, and achieve European and national climate protection goals. Scope of Funding: Eligible projects include innovation projects in shipbuilding, ship repairs, or ship conversions for self-propelled ships and offshore structures. Innovations must offer significant advantages such as improved safety, economy, environmental performance, or maintenance of competitive jobs. Projects that contribute to emission reductions and energy savings are prioritized. Eligibility: Applicants: Shipyards with a business presence in Germany. Collaborations: Large companies must collaborate with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with SMEs bearing at least 30% of the project costs. Ineligible: Companies in financial difficulty or those mandated to submit an asset disclosure. Funding Details: Type: Non-repayable grants. Rate: Up to 25% for large companies, 35% for medium companies, and 45% for small companies for product innovations; up to 15% for large companies and 50% for SMEs for process innovations. Cap: EUR 15 million for product/process innovations, EUR 7.5 million for the application of innovative processes. Application Process: Submission: Applications must be submitted to the Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA) before project commencement. Documentation: Detailed project descriptions, cost breakdowns, proof of incentive effect, and financial statements are required. Assessment: Independent experts will evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of the innovations. Deadlines: The tender document does not specify a concrete deadline for individual project submissions. However, the overall program runs until June 30, 2027, or until the expiration of the current state aid framework. For specific projects, applications must be submitted before the commencement of the project. It's advisable to check with the Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA) for detailed timelines and any specific deadlines related to individual project submissions. Contact Information: Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA) Frankfurter Straße 29 – 35, 65760 Eschborn Website: BAFA This summary provides an overview of the funding program aimed at boosting innovation in the German shipbuilding industry, securing competitive jobs, and fostering sustainable development. More Information: www.bundesanzeiger.de/pub/publication/m1nHO9QKKvXq3K5VxAD/content/m1nHO9QKKvXq3K5VxAD/BAnz%20AT%2018.07.2024%20B1.pdf