Porto has established itself as a hub for scientific innovation with the launch of INESCTEC.OCEAN (I.OCEAN), Portugal’s first national centre of excellence dedicated to ocean research and engineering. The centre, backed by an investment of over €30 million, will be incubated at INESC TEC, a renowned R&D institution based at the University of Porto’s Faculty of Engineering campus, for the next four years.
I.OCEAN is set to play a pivotal role in advancing emerging maritime sectors such as offshore renewable energy, deep-sea monitoring, environmental impact assessments of marine activities, and offshore aquaculture. The centre will also focus on creating cutting-edge onshore and offshore infrastructures for testing and developing new technologies.
In addition to its research activities, I.OCEAN aims to foster innovation by bridging the gap between science and the business world, with advanced training for human resources being a key priority. The centre will also contribute to Portugal’s traditional maritime sectors, including fishing and port/logistics operations.
With the creation of four scientific programmes focused on Marine Structures, Marine Robotics, Ocean Energy, and Ocean Data, I.OCEAN will be involved in over 50 collaborative industry projects. These initiatives will address market needs while driving technological advancements.
José Manuel Mendonça, former chairman of INESC TEC and coordinator of I.OCEAN’s application, emphasized the significance of the new centre, highlighting Portugal’s strategic location and its potential for developing the Blue Economy. The establishment of I.OCEAN is a major step in harnessing this potential through cutting-edge research and ocean engineering.
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