Digitalization benefits for maritime activities

More than 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans. The sea is an integral part of Europe’s identity, with 22 of its 27 Member States having a coast and two thirds of European frontiers being set by the sea. In 2021 will start the Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). This initiative aims to mobilize the scientific community, policy makers, industry and civil society around a common research and technological innovation agenda for the conservation and wise use of the world oceans. Oceans, seas and coasts can offer an essential contribution in tackling today’s long-term challenges, such as globalization and competitiveness, global warming and climate change, but also poverty and mobility, increasing scarcity of natural resources and vulnerability of the planet, urbanization and concentration in coastal regions and demographic change. As stated in the European Industrial Strategy, Europe needs industry to become greener, more circular and more digital while remaining competitive on the global stage. Economic growth and the utilization of digital technology cannot happen on the expense of the global environment. To seize the opportunities presented by increased digitalization, all industry sectors must contribute to solutions for sustainable development and cultivation of our oceans, through the implementation of new technological insights and new business models. The use of digital technologies is of high importance in the DIGIMAR proposal as they are part of an industrial sector that is inherently innovative and whose key-players are often start-ups or SMEs that are the core target of the proposal. Maritime related activities can integrate digital innovations in many aspects to gain economic, process and energy efficiency. Based on this context and the opportunities that SMEs can benefit from, the DIGIMAR proposal will focus on specific value chains for digitalizing the maritime economy.