In October, Brest in France hosted Seatech week - set against a global backdrop of rapid change and environmental challenges, the event saw 800 experts exchanging ideas around the central topic of maritime safety and security. Over the three days researchers, business people, public-sector bodies and maritime start-ups discussed the technological innovations shaping the future of our oceans.
The Marine Institute co-facilitated a workshop with IFREMER and Enterprise Ireland on links between our two Institutes and between Ireland and France as maritime nations.
The purpose of the workshop was to highlight existing research links between both countries and to outline upcoming potential areas which researchers and companies attending Seatech week may wish to explore.
The very latest data indicate there are sixty-two existing research collaborations between France and Ireland under the Horizon Europe Framework programme. Researchers from the Research Infrastructure team in the Marine Institute, the Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems in UL and the National Maritime College of Ireland in Munster Technological Institute all presented their expertise and facilities to those attending. The latest Horizon Europe funded research projects were presented such as:
· i-SEAMORE (Integrated Surveillance Ecosystem for European Authorities responsible for Maritime Operations Leveraged by Reliable and Enhanced Aerial Support) which F6S (Ireland), CS Group and Exail Robotics (France) participate in;
· CLARION (Climate resilient Port Infrastructure) supported by Research Driven Solutions (Ireland) and Sixense (France);
· Vigimare - Vigilant Maritime Surveillance of Critical Submarine Infrastructure in which the NMCI of Munster Technological University (Ireland), Alcatel and Telespazio (France) participate;
· Seaguard - Sea Environmental Awareness and Guard enhanced with Unmanned AI Robotic Detection with partners Konnecktable Technologies (Ireland), Azur Drones and Magellium (France).
National research capacity and expertise in Ireland relevant to the themes of Seatech week was presented – through outlining Universities and Research Centres with a strong marine and maritime focus, the Enterprise Ireland Regional Technology Clusters such as Killybegs Marine Cluster and the Circular Bioeconomy Centre South West; in addition to the Marine Ireland Industry Network all being profiled.
The final part of the programme was devoted to discussing some of the potential upcoming opportunities in 2025, estimated to be in the region of €440m in co-funding from the European Commission. Marine topics can be found across all areas and pillars of the Horizon Europe programme and areas of interest under Cluster 3 (Civil Security for Society), Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry and Space), Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility), Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment) and Research Infrastructures were explored.
The take home message was to network, to explore all opportunities and to engage with other participants at Seatech week!
Delphine Tessier of the Embassy of France in Ireland closed out the session by highlighting the Ulysses programme - the aim of the Ulysses scheme is to foster new collaborations between Ireland and France-based researchers by providing seed funding for reciprocal travel visits. The scheme thus facilitates the exchange of innovative ideas and approaches across all disciplines.
The Marine Institute wishes to thank a large number of people who were integral to the success of the workshop and Ireland pavilion.
These include Deputy Ambassador Mícheál Tierney, Louisa Heneghan, Sophie Carey, (Irish Embassy in Paris), Dr François Houllier, Dr Jean-Marc Daniel, Florence Coroner (IFREMER); Jean Michel Portefaix (Expertise France, hosted by Enterprise Ireland), Delphine Tessier (Embassy of France to Ireland), Stephanie Crochet, Eoin McTiernan (Enterprise Ireland Paris office). We would also like to thank the researchers who presented at the workshop – Dr Ander de Lecea (Marine Institute), Paul Hegarty (NMCI-MTU), Dr Gerard Dooley (UL), Dr Laurent Delauney (IFREMER) and Dr David Espes (Université de Brest).