IV Belgian-Portuguese Routes for the Blue Economy
Belgium and Portugal are global leaders in terms of economic activities linked to the sea. For this reason, the Belgian-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce will elaborate on the latest trends and developments in the blue economy in both countries during an annual thematic event.
The fourth edition of the ‘Belgian-Portuguese Routes for the Blue Economy’ takes place on Monday 27 June. This year, the event is linked to the UN Ocean Conference and focuses on pilot tests and the topics energy & transport, solutions to restore ecosystems on the coast, as well as biotechnology and bioproduction.
In addition to the Belgian-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, HAEDES, Sciaena, Fórum Oceano and Blue Cluster are also involved in the organisation of this high-profile event. Blue Cluster mainly provides substantial input and organisational support.
The preliminary programme can be found below.
Programme
Opening session
Sprekers:
- Rui Faria da Cunha, President of the Belgian-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce
- Isabel Estrada Carvalhais, member of the European Parliament
- José Maria Costa, Portuguese State Secretary for Maritime Affairs
- Vincent Van Quickenborne, Belgian Minister of the North Sea
Session 1 - Energy & Transportation
Moderator: Ruben Eiras, Forum Oceano (PT)
- New ideas to capture ocean wind energy in Europe
António Sarmento, WAVEC (PT) - Using machine learning to reduce fuel consumption in the shipping industry
Casimir Morobé, Toqua (BE)
Session 2 – Towards resilient and regenerative solutions for coastal areas
Moderator: Ann-Katrien Lescrauwaet, Flanders Marine Institute - TBC
- Nature Based Solutions to create coastal resilience and regenerate biodiversity
Diogo Mendes, HAEDES (PT) - How to (up)scale nature-based solutions for coastal and estuarine management? A coastal & bankbusters showcase
Thibaud Mascart, Tomas Sterckx and Marc Huygens, DEME (BE) - Coastal protection in a complex and high energetic system: the case of Azores Islands
Filipe Porteiro, OMA and Okeanos, Azores University (PT).
Session 3 - Biotechnology & bioproduction
Moderator: Gonçalo Carvalho, Sciaena (PT)
- New aquaculture systems in Portugal, the blue way forward
Paulo Serra Lopes, Aquazor (PT) - Algae, from challenge to opportunity
Helena Abreu, AlgaPlus (PT) - Application of biodegradable textiles for offshore aquaculture
Bert Groenendaal, SIOEN (PT) - Oligochaete worms: a novel approach in a context of dredging and hydraulic engineering. Trajectory towards full scale applications.
Miguel Pardo, Medeina Engineering (PT)
Closing session
Programme to be determined
Practical
The language of communication of the event is English and you can participate both physically and online. Participation is free of charge, but you must register in advance. Interested in attending this event? Register now.
Want to know more about this event? Contact Ann Overmeire.
