On Friday, September 12, the Latvian partners of the project “MarTe: Marine Technology Excellence Centre for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Baltic Sea” gathered in Ventspils – representatives from the Freeport of Ventspils Authority, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the World Wide Fund for Nature office in Latvia, Kurzeme Planning Region, the Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, the association “Baltijas Krasti,” and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. The aim of the meeting was to explore Ventspils’ business environment and discuss opportunities for cooperation in promoting the blue economy.
As part of the visit, the partners met at the Freeport of Ventspils Authority to learn more about the operations of the port and its future development directions. Partners also visited the Freeport’s industrial client SIA “Bio-Venta” – the largest biodiesel production and transshipment complex in the Baltic States – where the company’s production processes and main products, including biodiesel, rapeseed oil, rapeseed expeller for animal feed, and glycerin, were demonstrated.
The partners further visited the manufacturing company SIA “Aspired,” a CNC services provider, as well as Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, to explore local production opportunities and potential cooperation in human resource development.
Within the framework of the project, the Freeport of Ventspils Authority will evaluate the latest maritime technologies, including autonomous, hydrogen-powered drones for environmental monitoring and other applications, and will explore possibilities for utilizing by-products from hydrogen production in aquaculture and the circular economy. During the project, a Research and Innovation (R&I) strategy will be developed, and priority sectors for future development will be identified, serving as the foundation for Freeport’s commercialization and development plans. Furthermore, the Freeport will conduct studies on the valorization of “green” hydrogen production by-products and will design a business model concept for a technology transfer center focused on blue economy and sustainable energy solutions.
The goal of the “MarTe: Marine Technology Excellence Centre for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Baltic Sea” project is to develop practical solutions and policy recommendations for advancing the blue economy – the sustainable use of marine and ocean resources – in Estonia and Latvia. 13 organizations are involved in the project, with a strong emphasis on fostering innovation in marine technologies, particularly in renewable energy technologies, smart ports, and marine environmental protection. This strengthens cooperation between science, business, public administration, and non-governmental organizations.
This project has received funding from the EU’s Horizon Europe program, under the Excellence Hubs sub-programme (HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-07-01). The lead partner is the Estonian Environmental Investment Centre (Sihtasutus Keskkonnainvesteeringute Keskus). The total project budget is EUR 4,999,822.50, of which EUR 369,450 is allocated to the Freeport of Ventspils Authority. The project will run until December 31, 2028.
