SMARTDEC Partners Meet in Nantes for the 5th General Assembly

On 29 May 2026, SMARTDEC partners gathered in Nantes, France, for the project’s 5th General Assembly. Organised every six months in addition to the consortium’s monthly meetings, the General Assembly provides an opportunity to review project progress, coordinate upcoming activities and exchange in person. Following the meeting, consortium members attended Seanergy 2026, an international forum dedicated to offshore renewable energy and a major gathering for stakeholders involved in the maritime energy transition.

Supporting innovation for maritime decarbonisation

Partners reviewed the progress of SMARTDEC’s business acceleration programme, implemented under Work Package 4.

Following SMARTDEC’s Call for Innovations, 11 projects from France, Spain, Portugal and Ireland were selected to receive tailored acceleration services. The selected projects address a range of topics related to maritime decarbonisation, including electrification, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, artificial intelligence, renewable energy technologies and emissions monitoring.

The selected projects include:

• Onboard fuel monitoring system (Ecomer Data, France)
• Electric and hydrogen-powered catamarans (Green Navy, France)
• Biofouling-preventing UAV using AI and UV-C (Greenov, France)
• Hybrid solar and wind wing (Cormoran, France)
• Real-time port operation optimisation through AI and satellite imagery (Inguru Predict, Spain)
• MW-range power transmission link for port electrification (Suprasys, Spain)
• Smart preventive maintenance through AI and robot/USV technologies (EONsea, Spain)
• Compact and silent micro wind turbine system (Windcredible, Portugal)
• Mini-container storing solar energy aboard vessels (Portugal)
• Pilot use of HVO alternative fuel for quayside generators serving a fishing fleet (ATU, Ireland)
• Innovative approaches to monitor and reduce port-related emissions (Dublin Port Company, Ireland)

During the General Assembly, partners discussed the implementation of the acceleration programme and the ongoing support provided to the selected projects through dedicated acceleration plans developed jointly by the consortium and the project holders.

From stakeholder engagement to policy recommendations

Partners also reviewed the progress of stakeholder mapping and engagement activities carried out within the project and presented by the Clúster Marítimo-Marino de Andalucía (CMMA) and Bilbao PortLab.

The General Assembly also highlighted the publication of SMARTDEC’s policy recommendations, a key project deliverable aimed at translating project results into proposals for public decision-makers in support of maritime transport and port decarbonisation.

Addressed to European institutions and national decision-makers identified throughout the project, the document sets out key messages and proposed actions based on the project’s activities and findings. The recommendations are intended to be supported by regional authorities involved in the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR). A final event planned for the second half of 2026 will contribute to their dissemination at European level.

The consortium also confirmed the organisation of a SMARTDEC workshop during Sea Tech Week in Brest in October 2026.

Engaging associated partners

In addition to representatives from each SMARTDEC partner organisation, the General Assembly welcomed associated partners online and onsite, including Cristina Andrade Gomes e Silva Ferreira and Alexandra Almeida, representing CCDR Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, and Cathy Masson from Nantes Métropole.

Connecting with the wider maritime community at Seanergy

Following the General Assembly, SMARTDEC partners attended Seanergy 2026 in Nantes.

Seanergy is an international event dedicated to offshore renewable energy. Held annually in France, it brings together companies, research organisations, public authorities, investors and innovation stakeholders involved in offshore wind, marine renewable energy and the wider blue economy. The event combines a conference programme, exhibition area and business meetings, providing a platform for networking and collaboration across the sector.

Participation in Seanergy enabled consortium members to engage with stakeholders active in fields closely linked to SMARTDEC’s objectives, including energy transition, maritime innovation and sustainable maritime development.

During their stay in Nantes, consortium representatives also presented SMARTDEC during a dedicated meeting with Claire Hugues, Vice-President of the Pays de la Loire Regional Council, and took part in networking activities and the international programme organised by the Pays de la Loire Region.