There’s a new strategic centre for the Blue Economy – and INESC TEC is one of the founding members

It’s called SUSTEMARE – Centre for Technology and Innovation in Ocean Energy and Technologies, and it was established in Viana do Castelo to promote a sustainable transition in ocean exploration, by integrating science, technology, and the economy. INESC TEC is one of the founding members of this initiative, which represents an investment of €4.7M, funded by the Norte Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N). José Manuel Mendonça, director of INESC TEC, will serve on the centre’s Board of Directors as a non-executive member.

SUSTEMARE aims to leverage applied research and industry in a collaborative model that brings together academia, the public sector, and private enterprises. The goal is to create a strategic infrastructure capable of addressing global challenges in the Blue Economy, using technology to transform the national territory and position Portugal on the international blue energy map.

The formal inauguration ceremony of the centre took place on July 9 at the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (IPVC), with Luís Seca, member of the Executive Board at INESC TEC, representing the institution.

“There are three main domains that will be part of SUSTEMARE’s areas of intervention: blue energy, ocean technologies, and a range of activities and services focused on reducing the environmental impact of maritime infrastructure,” said Luís Seca.

By 2030, the new centre is expected to include several laboratories, an industrial building, and a team of around 40 professionals. Of the total investment (€4.7M), €4.2 million is allocated to the construction of the building, and €500,000 to the acquisition of essential technical equipment and services. The centre will be headquartered at the IPVC campus at Praia Norte, in Viana do Castelo.

As noted on the IPVC website, Carlos Rodrigues, President of the Institute, explained that the newly established centre “stems from the urgent need to transition towards a sustainable approach to ocean exploration, integrating scientific knowledge, technology, and economic activity.”

In this sense, IPVC and the Viana do Castelo city council addressed a key priority identified in the Norte Region Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3 NORTE 2027) by creating SUSTEMARE. In addition to INESC TEC, the founding consortium includes several R&D centres like the Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (INEGI), the University of Minho, the Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), and the CiTiN – Industrial Technological Interface Centre. The model also allows for new members to join, subject to board approval.

In addition to these institutions, the other founding associates are: Comunidade Intermunicipal do Alto Minho, Portuguese Business Association (AEP), Confederação Empresarial do Alto Minho (CEVAL), Administração dos Portos do Douro Leixões e Viana do Castelo (APDL), GML Transmission Line Solutions (ENLINE), Etermar – Engenharia, Gazelle Wind Power Portugal, Metaloviana – Metalúrgica de Viana, Mota Engil, Painhas, Ocean Winds – Serviços de Ventos Oceânicos Offshore, West-Sea – Estaleiros Navais Unipessoal, XPERTGO – Business Solutions Development, and Costa & Rego.

Together, these institutions are laying the foundations for a new Portuguese centre for technology and innovation, tailored to the needs of the national economic fabric.