The SMARTDEC project, led by Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique and funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme, is promoting the creation of Maritime Industry Valleys (MIVs) as a key instrument to accelerate maritime decarbonisation and strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s Atlantic regions. The concept stands out in the report “Policy Recommendations”.
Maritime Industry Valleys are proposed as interconnected ecosystems bringing together shipyards, ports, maritime clusters, technology providers, universities, research centres, public authorities, investors and financial institutions. By fostering collaboration across the maritime value chain, they would help identify strategic local projects, attract European funding and accelerate the uptake of innovative green shipping solutions.
The concept addresses a major challenge identified by SMARTDEC: Europe has strong maritime expertise and innovation capacity, but these assets often remain fragmented and difficult to access. MIVs would strengthen links between innovators, end users and investors, helping promising technologies move more rapidly from development to market deployment.
According to the project’s Policy Recommendations, these partnerships are essential for advancing green shipping and guiding investment towards the most effective decarbonisation pathways while considering local environmental conditions and community needs. They would also support the objectives of the Ocean Pact by fostering resilient coastal economies and circular economy activities such as sustainable ship dismantling, remanufacturing and component reuse. Measures to address skills shortages and support workforce development will also be critical to ensuring a successful green transition in the maritime sector.
Maritime Industry Valleys are proposed as interconnected ecosystems bringing together shipyards, ports, maritime clusters, technology providers, universities, research centres, public authorities, investors and financial institutions. By fostering collaboration across the maritime value chain, they would help identify strategic local projects, attract European funding and accelerate the uptake of innovative green shipping solutions.
The concept addresses a major challenge identified by SMARTDEC: Europe has strong maritime expertise and innovation capacity, but these assets often remain fragmented and difficult to access. MIVs would strengthen links between innovators, end users and investors, helping promising technologies move more rapidly from development to market deployment.
According to the project’s Policy Recommendations, these partnerships are essential for advancing green shipping and guiding investment towards the most effective decarbonisation pathways while considering local environmental conditions and community needs. They would also support the objectives of the Ocean Pact by fostering resilient coastal economies and circular economy activities such as sustainable ship dismantling, remanufacturing and component reuse. Measures to address skills shortages and support workforce development will also be critical to ensuring a successful green transition in the maritime sector.
Publish date: 2026-06-23
