For long stretches of recent history, the Portuguese perceived the ocean as a space of risks and sacrifice. The main image was one of hardship and survival, marked by families living in uncertain conditions, dependent on activities that required immense physical effort, yet with inadequate economic return. This narrative of adversity left a deep cultural imprint, echoing in art, literature, and music – which still resonates today.
However, in recent decades, this notion changed significantly. While the ocean is still recognised as a hostile and unpredictable environment, it is increasingly perceived not only as a challenge, but also as a source of wealth, innovation, and well-being. Besides the traditional (nowadays, more highly valued) fishing heritage, there are new maritime-tourism activities, the sustainable exploitation of living and non-living resources, and the rise of knowledge-intensive sectors with high added value, rooted in scientific and technological expertise. Thus, the vision of the ocean as a place of hardship has been replaced by one of opportunity, economic development, innovation, and environmental sustainability.
Portugal holds one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in the European Union, covering more than 1.7 million km², and awaits the United Nations’ decision on the request to extend the continental shelf. If approved, the maritime area under national jurisdiction will exceed four million km² – a territory 40 times larger than the country’s landmass, a true oceanic vastness still largely unexplored. Within it lie unknown habitats, countless marine species yet to be identified, and resources of potentially immense economic, scientific, and environmental importance. The sustainable use of said resources may prove decisive in addressing global challenges: from food provision to the discovery of new pharmaceutical or industrial compounds. Moreover, the ocean’s role as the planet’s regulator and “lung” is now universally acknowledged: from carbon sequestration to oxygen production, and from sustaining offshore renewable energy to mitigating climate change, the oceans are central to global sustainability.
The technical and scientific contribution of INESC TEC
In-depth knowledge of marine ecosystems is only possible thanks to scientific and technological advances that have progressively overcome longstanding barriers. Electromagnetic sensors – effective for large-scale remote monitoring on land – are virtually useless in water environments. This gap in large-scale mapping solutions has spurred human ingenuity, leading to breakthroughs like acoustic tomography, which infers environmental parameters over long distances; hyperspectral imaging from satellites and aircraft, capable of detecting surface concentrations of elements and extrapolating oceanic properties; and, more recently, the innovative use of underwater cables as distributed sensors spanning thousands of kilometres. Together, these technologies are opening the way to increasingly systematic and detailed knowledge of the oceans.
INESC TEC has been at the forefront of this scientific and technological progress, with a significant range of ocean-related R&D projects. The creation of the TEC4SEA infrastructure marked a decisive step, offering unique experimental conditions for developing, testing, and validating marine technologies in both coastal and deep waters. The research vessel Mar Profundo – the first in Portugal dedicated entirely to technological research – has further demonstrated the value of this strategic investment. Far from being underused, the ship has been in high demand for scientific and technological missions, cementing the role as an essential national research asset.
In recent years, funding from the Recovery and Resilience Plan has supported Blue Economy companies in developing new products and services, many in close collaboration with INESC TEC. This momentum has proven crucial for building mutual trust between the scientific system and industry, showing how knowledge generated in laboratories can be transformed into innovation with direct economic impact. The approval of the Teaming project INESCTEC.OCEAN has further reinforced this ambition, aligning the institution’s strategy with European priorities through 2030. This recognition of past achievements also brings added responsibility: INESC TEC is expected to play a prominent role in the European and international landscape of ocean engineering research.
A global network of collaborations
Portugal’s ocean cannot be understood in isolation from the “global ocean”; INESC TEC has strengthened international partnerships, particularly in Europe, but also worldwide, towards complementing expertise. Memoranda of Understanding and joint projects have multiplied opportunities for application and expanded sources of funding, enabling exploration of new scientific and technological domains.
These collaborations involve almost all the Institute’s research centres – from Robotics to Energy, from Communications to Sensors -, broadening scientific and technological capacity. The result is a more robust community, with greater diversity of highly qualified human resources, well prepared to address emerging challenges. At the same time, these international ties serve as a “magnet” for talent: PhD students and foreign researchers are drawn to INESC TEC as an environment where they can carry out innovative work, helping to offset demographic decline and the shortage of young national talent.
If once the ocean was conquered by brave sailors of flesh and blood, that part will increasingly belong to robots. However, behind these machines, will remain the scientists and engineers, creating technologies to understand, protect, and sustainably explore the oceans. Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens revolutionary opportunities: optimising robot navigation, increasing autonomy in decision-making without human intervention, analysing vast data streams in real time, and even executing complex tasks in remote areas. This technological vision resonates strongly with younger generations, who are more aware of environmental challenges and committed to a future of prosperity and sustainability. It is up to scientific institutions like INESC TEC to provide the conditions for this talent to flourish and generate positive impact.
Looking ahead: the next five to 10 years
Several areas emerge as priorities for the coming decade. Maritime defence and security will require enhanced surveillance and protection of borders, ports, underwater cables, and other maritime infrastructures. The Blue Economy will keep expanding, with offshore renewable energy and continuous environmental monitoring taking centre stage. AI applied to marine challenges will enable new forms of exploration and sustainable management, transforming how we understand and explore the oceans. Marine biotechnology, meanwhile, holds the promise of breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and advanced materials, especially from organisms adapted to extreme environments.
Nonetheless, these opportunities come with challenges. Sustained growth demands ongoing investment in R&D, including the training of human resources, strengthening infrastructures, valuing intellectual property, and supporting start-ups capable of converting knowledge into economic value. Demographic decline limits the pool of young talent, while the prosperity of other sectors intensifies competition for qualified scientists and engineers. The risk of losing human capital is real, and only a coordinated strategy will keep Portugal at the forefront. International collaborations can play a decisive role – not only through complementary expertise, but also by attracting PhD students and foreign researchers to reinforce the national scientific system while deepening collaborative networks.
The sea remains both a challenge and a promise. For Portugal, it represents not only cultural heritage but also a unique opportunity for the future. INESC TEC has consolidated a vital role in this journey, contributing through science, technology, and innovation. In the years ahead, it will be our responsibility – institutions, businesses, researchers, and citizens – to transform this opportunity into sustainable prosperity, making the ocean not only a legacy but also a driver for the future.
By Nuno Cruz, researcher at INESC, where he coordinates the Robotics and Autonomous Systems area. He is also affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP).
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