On 17–18 June 2026, Ravenna hosted the international conference “Advancing the Sustainable Blue Economy in the Mediterranean: Forging a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Mediterranean through Transformative Innovation”, organised in the framework of Ravenna Sea Capital 2026 by Emilia-Romagna Region / ART-ER, together with the Blue Ecosystem project, ADMA Pilot, BLU-ER Forum, BIG Cluster, OMC Med Energy and the Municipality of Ravenna. The event provided a strategic platform for dialogue among institutions, clusters, research organisations and industry stakeholders on innovation policies, funding synergies and offshore low-carbon technologies for the sustainable blue economy.
The Vanguard Initiative ADMA Energy Pilot contributed to the programme by supporting the technical session “Floating Offshore technologies: innovation projects and financial opportunities”, designed to connect cutting-edge floating offshore developments with interregional cooperation opportunities. The session included the presentation of the I3FLOAT project, its Floating Offshore Wind Strategic Agenda and the related Open Call for SMEs, strengthening the link between ADMA activities and concrete innovation and funding opportunities for companies and regional ecosystems.
ADMA members and regional stakeholders played an active role in the discussion, with contributions from Cantabria and Friuli Venezia Giulia. Cantabria was represented both by the Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria – IH Cantabria, with Francisco Royano Gutiérrez, and by the Sea of Innovation Cantabria Cluster – SICC, with Luis San Segundo. Their interventions highlighted Cantabria’s innovation ecosystem for floating offshore wind, combining advanced research and testing capabilities with cluster-based industrial expertise in engineering, R&D, certification, offshore services and cross-regional value chains. MARE Technology Cluster FVG, represented by Carlo Kraskovic, shared the experience of the Friuli Venezia Giulia maritime and renewable energy ecosystem, including its work on offshore renewables, skills development, innovation matchmaking and participation in European networks such as Vanguard.
The conference also hosted a dedicated session on “Transforming Offshore Decommissioning: Innovation and Circular Value Pathways”, addressing circular approaches, innovation pathways and investment opportunities in offshore decommissioning. This topic is particularly relevant for ADMA, as decommissioning is emerging as a new area of interest within the Pilot, linked to the circular transformation of offshore assets, advanced manufacturing capabilities and the development of new value chains for the sustainable blue economy.
Finally, participants had the opportunity to visit the Rosetti Marino shipyard, offering a concrete insight into the industrial and technological capabilities of the Ravenna offshore and maritime ecosystem.
More info on the event here.