This will be the fifth Center of Excellence in Portugal and the first exclusively focused on ocean engineering and marine technologies, emerging from a successful application to the *Teaming for Excellence* program under Horizon Europe.

Scheduled to begin operations in 2025 and extend through 2031, INESCTEC.OCEAN aims to drive emerging sectors linked to the sea, including offshore renewable energy, deep-sea monitoring, environmental impact assessments of human activities, and offshore aquaculture. Additionally, the project envisions establishing a network of onshore and offshore technological infrastructures to test and develop innovative technologies, fostering stronger ties between science and industry.

Collaboration with national partners such as Fórum Oceano, the Portuguese Sea Cluster, and APDL (Administration of the Ports of Douro, Leixões, and Viana do Castelo), alongside international contributors like Norway’s SINTEF.OCEAN, will play a key role. SINTEF.OCEAN, a leading Norwegian research center specializing in marine science, will serve as a mentor in the establishment of the Portuguese center, providing expertise to shape its scientific and technological programs.

INESCTEC.OCEAN’s goals include enhancing cooperation among academia, industry, investors, and business associations, promoting technological innovations, and transferring knowledge to meet market demands. A significant part of this effort involves advanced human resource training, with scholarships for PhDs in areas like marine structures, robotics, ocean energy, and marine data. The connection with industry will be further reinforced through affiliation programs, technological demonstrations, pilot projects, and support for startups specializing in ocean engineering.

The creation of new infrastructures, alongside the adaptation of existing ones, will support the development of cutting-edge technologies. Experimental spaces will not only validate technological solutions but also position Portugal as a global leader in ocean engineering. With more than €30 million in funding secured, sourced from Horizon Europe and the Portuguese Government, the center is expected to have a direct impact on creating highly skilled jobs, attracting talent, and strengthening the national industry.

Portugal, with its strategic location in the Atlantic, is well-placed to lead innovation in the marine sector. This ambition is reflected in INESCTEC.OCEAN's objective of becoming an international reference in ocean engineering while promoting the sustainable use of marine resources. By 2031, the center is expected to achieve an annual activity volume exceeding €20 million, solidifying its scientific, technological, and industrial relevance.

The initiative underscores Portugal's commitment to preserving and sustainably leveraging the potential of its vast maritime territory. Through innovation and global partnerships, INESCTEC.OCEAN aims to drive progress in the Blue Economy, ensuring that the nation plays a central role in shaping the future of marine research and technology.

Author

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes