During the week of the 19th to the 23rd of February 2024, the SeaTecHub project engaged in a series of enriching events, workshops, and visits across Cyprus, marking significant strides in marine and maritime research and innovation.

• The week commenced with thematic workshops in which over 50 stakeholders from diverse sectors were called to participate in the Cross-Border Joint Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategic Orientation initiative to provide information on R&I needs and gaps. This event not only fostered stakeholder engagement but also highlighted the vital role of quadruple helix sector collaboration in aligning R&I efforts with economic and societal goals. The analysis of R&I needs and gaps revealed the need for collaboration through a joint R&I strategy and Action and Investment Plans. Stakeholder engagement workshops are also planned in Croatia, focusing on finalizing the R&I strategy and developing sector-specific Action and Investment plans.

Dr. Ioannis Kyriakides, the Coordinator of the project

Dr. Xenia Loizidou and Demetra Orthodoxou, the organizers of the workshops – AKTI Project and Research Center

Stakeholder engagement and SeaTecHub Workshops

• In a notable development, discussions on the Blue Economy Forum by the SeaTecHub consortium aimed at fostering business collaborations between Cyprus and Croatia were initiated. The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR) further enlightened the consortium with lectures that spanned the management and conservation of marine environments, protection efforts for marine areas and species, artificial reef initiatives, combating marine pollution, and educational programs aimed at bolstering sustainability and conservation efforts within Cyprus’s marine ecosystem. This series of lectures highlighted ongoing activities, initiatives, and needs, illuminating the path to achieving objectives steered by EU directives, thereby reinforcing the importance of DFMR’s contributions to the project’s goals.

SeaTecHub consortium at DFMR premises in Nicosia

Mrs. Marina Argyrou, Director of DFMR

• A training session by IN2 also took place, in which participants engaged in conversations centered around the Croatian Integrated Maritime Information System (CIMIS). The training described the case of the Maritime National Single Window (MNSW) assignments, the importance of it as a pivotal element in the Integrated Maritime IT System, streamlining communication channels between sea vessels. The session included discussions on the system’s capabilities in managing extensive data and databases, and optimizing maritime traffic processes, which showcased the potential for technological advancements to significantly improve efficiency and coordination in maritime operations.

Mr. Bojan Colnago, Software Engineer and LOB Manager

• The SeaTecHub Consortium Meeting took place in Larnaca, where project updates and future directions were deliberated. The presence of key figures such as Mr. Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist of the Research and Innovation Foundation of Cyprus, the CEO of Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) Mr. Zacharias Siokouros, the Marine Technology Research Director of CMMI Dr. Ioannis Kyriakides, Prof. Nuno Cruz from the University of Porto and INESC TEC, Prof. Nikola Miskovic from the University of Zagreb, and Dr. Rogério Chumbinho, Director & Senior Project Manager at BlueWise Marine Ltd, underscored the collaborative effort between research organizations and industry to advance the blue economy sectors through sustainable and technological innovations.

Panel Discussion. From left to right: Dr. Ioannis Kyriakides, Mr. Rogério Chumbinho, Mr. Demetris Skourides, Mr. Zacharias Siokouros, Prof. Nikola Miskovic.

SeaTecHub Consortium Meeting

• Prof. Nuno Cruz from the University of Porto, representing the University of Porto and INESC TEC, delivered a lecture titled “Applied Research in Marine Robotics at INESC TEC – Challenges & Collaboration Opportunities.” H.E the Ambassador of Portugal to Cyprus, Vanda Sequeira attended the lecture which further emphasized the importance of Cyprus-Portugal collaboration.
  

  Prof. Nuno Cruz, University of Porto and INESC TEC

From left to right: Prof. Nuno Cruz, H.E the Ambassador of Portugal to Cyprus, Vanda Sequeira, CEO of CMMI, Mr. Zacharias Siokouros

• The week also featured enriching expert visits from Agrifood Croatia to the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research and 20000 Leagues to CMMI, fostering invaluable exchanges on marine protected area management, conservation strategies, and scientific diving, among other critical areas of maritime innovation and development.
• The Cyprus Marine Observation Network (CyMON) workshop focused on updates concerning establishing a critical national infrastructure for marine observation. Participants were briefed on the latest deployments of data acquisition systems that are part of CyMON. The session also covered discussions on the state-of-the-art technologies utilized in relevant international networks, highlighting the advancements and the critical role of technology in marine observation and data collection.

Dr. Rogério Chumbinho, presenting at the 2ndCyMON workshop.

Panel Discussion. From left to right: Dr. Nikolas Flourentzou, Senior Associate Scientist at Cyprus Marirne and Maritime Institute, Dr Daniel Hayes, Managing Director at Cyprus Subsea Consulting and Services C.S.C.S. Ltd, Dr Rogério Chumbinho Director & Senior Project Manager at BlueWise Marine Ltd.

Mr. Zacharias Siokouros, CEO of CMMI, opens the 2nd CyMON workshop.

Dr Daniel Hayes, presenting at the 2nd CyMON workshop.

• Visits to Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd gave the opportunity to partners to learn about the operation and potential of the Performance Optimisation Control Room, which drives efforts in decarbonization through the optimization of operations using digitalization. Also, the partners visited Kimagro Fishfarming Ltd in Limassol, where they had the opportunity to visit fishfarms by boat and closely examine fishfarming operations, and interact with the personnel. This visit provided an opportunity for SeaTecHub members to better understand how Reasearch and Innovation can be applied to real industrial settings.

Visit to Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd, at their Performance Optimisation Control Room.

Visit to Kimagro Fishfarming Ltd.

These activities not only highlighted the synergies between research, industry, and conservation efforts but also set a solid foundation for future advancements in maritime digitalization, ecosystem management, and sustainable practices. As we move forward, the insights gained and partnerships formed during this week are poised to catalyze significant progress in marine research and innovation, contributing to the overarching goals of economic resilience and environmental stewardship in marine and coastal environments.