Atlantic Success Story: MarENet

06/06/2023

The MarENet consortium has built a network among blue economy stakeholders (workers, industries, training providers, sectorial organizations, policy makers), designed specific training actions to meet the demands of the industry, and created digital tools to support those actions. Yet, the purpose of the project is even broader, and aims at increasing the attractiveness of blue careers and promote blue entrepreneurship by facilitating training and networking to business creators. This project directly interlinks with Pillar I of the Atlantic Strategy that sets out to develop ports as gateways and hubs for the blue economy and present goals such as the development of a blue accelerator scheme for Atlantic ports to help scale up innovative businesses, the Sharing of best practices, the expansion data collection beyond traditional data and to increase communication and availability of data on the economic potential of ports.

Creation of a robust network that bridges the gap between stakeholders in the maritime industry and educational institutions

Among the training initiatives promoted by the project, 7 educational programs were implemented, ranging from 11 to 60 hours (4 in-person and 3 online) at the vocational and university levels, along with 5 seminars (4 online and 1 in-person) aimed at covering professional profiles such as fish market operators and stevedores (vocational training at the intermediate level), port logistics administration according to the Rotterdam model (higher vocational training), and maritime legislation and port logistics (university education).

Recognizing the transformative power of digital technologies, the Marenet project leveraged these advancements to create a robust and interconnected network that bridges the gap between stakeholders in the maritime industry and educational institutions, enhancing collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional development opportunities in the maritime sector. Through the development of the Digital Blue Careers Network, an inclusive, dynamic, and future-oriented platform was created to foster cooperation, innovation, and the development of skilled professionals within the maritime sector. This platform aims to shape the future of blue careers, empower individuals, and drive sustainable growth in the maritime industry.

said Carlos Botana Lagarón, head of the sustainability department of the Port of Vigo

An innovative blue entrepreneurship program was launched, aimed at promoting sustainable business ideas in the Blue Economy sector. With the execution of these project activities, MarENeT achieved:

  • Addressing skills shortages in specific maritime economic sectors and increasing the formation of training network actors and collaborators involved in the project.
  • Increasing cooperation between Vocational Training centres and Universities among the Northeast Atlantic Sea basin and Training Centres and the port labor market
  • Updating specific training plans and curricula related to specific seaport sectors
  • Developing new business ideas associated with the maritime port market
  • Enhancing the visibility of blue careers opportunities on the port sector

Further information about the Project:

  • Reference: EMFF-BlueEconomy-2018-863595
  • Project duration: 01.11.2019 - 31.10.2021
  • Project locations: France, Spain and Ireland
  • Overall budget: €867 923
  • EU contribution: €694 338 (80% of the overall budget)
  • Entities involved: Campus do Mar - University of Vigo (Spain), Port Authority of Vigo (Spain), Aclunaga - Naval Cluster of Galicia, (Spain), CEPESCA - Spanish fishing confederation (Spain), ICSEM - Institute for the Sustainable Growth in private sector (Spain), IMDO - Irish Maritime Development Office (Ireland), CIT - Institute of Technology of Cork (Ireland), LRU - University of La Rochelle (France)

Channels to know more about the project