European Maritime Day 2024

The workshop organized by Brest métropole aims to share and gather experiences from coastal cities on the theme "Ocean and Society: Innovation as a Catalyst."

This workshop aims to explore the various dimensions of innovation (social, technological, economic, cultural, territorial) at work within a maritime territory that combines enhanced ocean protection with sustainable and beneficial development for society as a whole. It will also reassess the role of the European Union or European networks (Atlantic cities,…) as a lever to support and amplify these local dynamics. Together, the objective is to address the following challenge: how to mobilize the entire maritime society in its transition towards a preserved ocean and a sustainable and prosperous blue economy?

 To initiate discussions, Brest and its partners will present some initiatives indicative of its collective ambition for the ocean:

 A metropolitan ambition oriented towards the Ocean: Brest métropole, during previous EMD editions and also at the One Ocean Summit, has shown its commitment to the ocean. Brest's inclusion in the RTE-T central network, its investment in the development of marine renewable energies, also demonstrate the desire to make the port of Brest, at the crossroads of Atlantic maritime routes, a hub for decarbonized blue economy.

-  Promoting sustainable blue tourism: Brest métropole is initiating development projects for sustainable tourism and enhanced access to the waterfront, involving numerous local stakeholders. Innovative initiatives such as the Ocean Trail and urban transport solutions like Mobility as a Service (M.A.S) with the Brest City Pass; the enhancement of green and blue belts, and the organization of major maritime events, all contribute to these objectives.

-Establishing sustainable governance of the Brest harbor basin watersheds: Through innovative management via a coordinated harbor contract led by Brest métropole, "Terrarade" is a comprehensive approach due to the territory it covers and the number and diversity of actors involved (local authorities, scientists, economic actors, operators, etc.) for the restoration and sustainable management of water quality.

Maritime safety is the DNA of Brest métropole: Following ecological disasters off its coast (...Amoco-Cadiz, Erika,...), the territory has developed significant expertise in prevention, intervention, and combating maritime pollution. In addition to the presence of the Maritime Prefecture headquarters covering a wide area, Cedre is now a world-renowned organization that, through its studies and innovations, assists decision-makers from local authorities, operators, and actors in maritime transport. Risks in ports related to new maritime transport fuels (primarily ammonia and hydrogen) are the subject of current European projects led by CEDRE and the Brest Iroise Technopole (SAFER SEA, MANIFEST).

- Sea Tech Week and Ocean Hackathon: Brest is also the headquarters of the Campus Mondial de la Mer, born from the desire of various maritime competencies present in the territory to come together to address the major technological and societal challenges of the maritime world. Led by the Brest Iroise Science Park, it implements several innovative actions.

 -  Oceanopolis, Center for Scientific, Technical, and Industrial Culture (CCSTI), is at the heart of the Ocean Decade's issues and how to create a dynamic interface between stakeholders (scientists, industry, local authorities, NGOs, the general public) and ocean-related challenges. Presentation of Oceanolab and an internationally replicable survey at the European level will be featured.