UiB Establishes EU Network for Maritime Industries

The University of Bergen is starting up the EU network "Ocean of Opportunities".

The network will facilitate several EU applications in research and innovation in the maritime industries (petroleum, marine renewable energy and the maritime sector) through the Horizon Europe program.

The network will have its geographical center in Western Norway, with Energiomstilling Vest (EOV) as a central partner. The groups NCE Maritime CleanTech, GCE Ocean Technology and Norwegian Offshore Wind Cluster will provide a strong access point towards the business sector.

The aim is to connect the value chains in the maritime industries with representatives from business, the public sector and research institutions nationally and internationally.

Important Norwegian industries such as the petroleum industry and the maritime industry are facing a major restructuring. "Research-based innovation will play an important role in the restructuring that is now underway", says energy director Kristin Guldbrandsen Frøysa, who, together with project manager Cecilie Evjen from IFT, is behind the establishment of the program.

The Research Council of Norway has allocated funding for the network for three years from August 2021. More information will come in August.