About the project

Although several initiatives are being developed worldwide in maritime decarbonisation, there is not yet a well-structured initiative in the EU. SMARTDEC will strengthen the innovation capacity of the Atlantic region in decarbonising the maritime transport sector by promoting the uptake of promising technological solutions that are currently available and validated for the end-users concerned.

The project aims to create an interactive platform for exchange between all stakeholders in the maritime transport sector, including solution developers (start-ups, SMEs, entrepreneurs), researchers, academics and end-users, as part of the decarbonization of transport and port activities. The aim is to stimulate the adoption of new technologies and define a harmonised strategy for the Atlantic seaboard.

Actions will focus on three main areas: 

• Develop a network of Atlantic hubs to support the adoption of technologies and transnational cooperation to improve the innovative performance of the maritime transport sector and stimulate its decarbonization
• Support the shipping sector to reduce CO2 emissions and find efficient, clean technologies to develop the industry in the years to come
• Share best practices, exchange ideas and solve problems together on the Atlantic seaboard.

The project will contribute to a sustainable and competitive maritime transport sector that will reinforce the economic development of the Atlantic Region and the development of a regional value chain for decarbonisation.

This joint initiative gathers key actors from different regions in Ireland, France, Portugal & Spain that will be organised as hubs with a quadruple helix approach in which research & academia, policy makers, society and the industry (clusters, SMEs & start-ups) will collaborate to develop common strategies to achieve the decarbonisation of the maritime transport sector.

SMARTDEC will boost the innovation capacity of decarbonisation of the maritime transport sector by promoting the adoption of promising technological solutions currently available and validated to match with relevant end-users.