BLUEWEEK

Since 2012, MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands, a non for profit fondation part of the 5 large applied science institutes of the Netherlands) is organising a yearly event called the BlueWeek. The week is aiming at sharing technical and expert knowledge with the maritime community to invent and create a sustainable future for Oceans, Energy and Shipping. We are proposing seminars around three themes (Ocean energy & Blue Life, Infrastructure and Operation sat Sea, Zero emission and naturel propulsion shipping) and projects or associations meetings are also organised during that same week. Because we have no sponsor to remain fully independent, we are asking for a low daily fee to simply cover catering and rent of conference material.

Goal of the BlueWeek: Dare to set ambitious goals, apply novel techniques to produce renewable ocean energy, rethink transport & shipping to reduce drastically energy use, set sails on all ships, develop and choose zero emission power technologies, protect and cherish the environment, while using all available past experience and knowledge from the energy sector: this is how we want to create, together, a sustainable future for Oceans, Energy and Shipping.

Each year, we are looking for a host to welcome the event free of charge. Selected location must have a link obviously with the maritime environment as well as concerns to protect it and to act against climate change. In 2024, Venezia has offered us to host the event. Venezia faces tough challenges due to its geographical location and vulnerability to rising sea levels. Concerns over climate change raised awareness and a sense of urgency from its inhabitants, and in line with this, Venice aims to be at the forefront of sustainable development. Key issues being addressed include protecting the Lagoon to preserve its fragile ecosystem, sustainable mobility, renewable energy production and local storage and sustainable tourism. The MOSE project in the laguna is a masterpiece of human creativity to find a solution to rising waters.
The city and the lagoon also have a large water transport network, with more than 180 ships transporting goods and passengers. All in all, the iconic city of Venezia will be a perfect and inspiring location to present, share and discuss sustainable developments and innovation. We are very thankful to ACTV (Venetian Public Transportation company) and VELA for hosting our special event at the Arsenale.

Preliminary programme and past events can be consulted on www.blueforum.org site.