Blue Tech Europe 2026: Marine Observing Technologies
Sorbonne Université
4 Pl. Jussieu 55
75005 Paris
France
Session 2: Analytical tools building on new technology – how to make a business case for academia-to-industry transfer?
Session 4: Industry and society as drivers of ocean observation
Closing session
Registration closed
Aligned with the European Union’s Ocean Pact and the Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the Blue Tech Europe Conference will showcase technological developments from the academic sector. The conference will focus on strengthening collaboration between academia and industry, while identifying pathways to support local growth and reinforce Europe’s competitiveness in blue technologies.
Reliable and high-quality ocean data is increasingly critical for society, industry, and the scientific community. While existing infrastructures and emerging initiatives have begun deploying Marine Observation Systems across a range of platforms, significant gaps remain in coverage and technological capabilities, hindering progress towards robust modelling and predictability of marine systems.
Addressing these challenges, the Blue Tech Europe Conference aims to catalyse a sensor industry in Europe by fostering constructive dialogue between government, industry, research, and investment actors. The conference will highlight key challenges and showcase innovations that can contribute to a competitive and innovative sensor industry on the continent.
Establish European autonomy in sensor and marine technology development.
Showcase EU-designed technologies for scalable, autonomous observation systems.
Discuss how industry can integrate, standardise, and scale observation and data services.
The event is moderated by Kristin Recke
21 April 2026
Day 1 (09:00-18:00)
09:00-09:30 Registration & Welcome coffe
09:30-12:30 Session 1. Establishing European autonomy in sensors and marine technology development
Coordinator: Nicolas Pade, European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC)
09:30-09:35 Welcome
- Kristin Recke
09:35-09:45 Opening session
- Nicolas Pade, European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC)
09:45-10:25 Presentations
- Emina Mamaca, European Commission (DG RTD)
- Peer Fietzek, Kongsberg Discovery
10:25-10:55 Coffee break
10:55-11:15 Presentations
- Robert Hoddenbach, FUGRO
- Jan-Stefan Fritz, Konsortium Deutsche Meeresforschung (KDM)
11:15-12:30 Panel discussion 1
- Emina Mamaca, European Commission (DG RTD)
- Peer Fietzek, Kongsberg Discovery
- Robert Hoddenbach, FUGRO
- Jan-Stefan Fritz, Konsortium Deutsche Meeresforschung (KDM)
12:30-13:45 Lunch break
14:00-17:30 Session 2: Analytical tools building on new technology – how to make a business case for academia-to-industry transfer?
Coordinator: Jacob Carstensen, Aarhus University
14:00-14:05 Introduction
- Kristin Recke
- Jacob Carstensen, Aarhus University
14:05-15:30 Presentations
- Hege Gundersen, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)
- Kasper Hancke, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)
- Melilotus Thyssen, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (CNRS-MIO)
- João Galante, INEGI
- Adam Leslie Koziol, Aarhus University
- Jacob Carstensen, Aarhus University
15:30 -16:00 Coffee break
16:00-17:30 Panel discussion 2
- Claus Schultze, European Commission (DG MARE, BlueInvest)
- Kate Larkin, EMODnet / SeaScape Belgium
- Lilian Brewer Lisboa, Cytobuoy
- Thanos Gkritzalis, Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)
- João Galante, INEGI
- Jacob Carstensen, Aarhus University
22 April 2026
Day 2 (08:30-16:30)
08:30-09:00 Registration & Welcome coffe
09:00-12:00 Session 3. Novel tools for observing the ocean – improving knowledge and technology transfer
Coordinator: Nicolas Pade, European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC)
09:00-12:00 Presentations
- Manuel Fernández Giráldez, University of Seville
- Patrizio Mariani, DTU Aqua National Institute of Aquatic Resources
- Julie Robidart, National Oceanography Centre (NOC)
- Carmem-Lara Manes, Sorbonne Université
- Alfredo Martins, INESC TEC
- Laurent Delauney, IFREMER
- Mateusz Weis, Institut Polytechnique de Paris
10:30-11:00 Coffee break
11:00-12:00 Panel discussion 3
- Alfredo Martins, INESC TEC
- Laurent Beguery, ALSEAMAR
- Kinnie De Beule, Blue Cluster
12:00-13:00 Lunch break
13:00-15:45 Session 4. Industry and society as drivers of ocean observation
Coordinator: Toste Tanhua, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
13:00-14:00 Presentations
- Toste Tanhua, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
- Emma Heslop, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
- Laurent Mortier, LOCEAN
- Lucy Hunt, The Ocean Race
14:00-14:30 Coffee break
14:30-15:00 Presentations
- Verena Meraldi, HX Expeditions
- Viviana Piermattei, Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC)
- Jessica Gier, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
15:00-15:45 Panel discussion 4
- Emma Heslop, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
- Lucy Hunt, The Ocean Race
- Verena Meraldi, HX Expeditions
- Viviana Piermattei, Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC)
- Jessica Gier, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
15:45-16:00 Closing session
- Nicolas Pade, European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC)
- Toste Tanhua, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
- Jacob Carstensen, Aarhus University
EMBRC HQ
Seascape Belgium
GEOMAR
EMBRC HQ
Aarhus University
