On 22 October 2024, more than 70 experts gathered for an EMODnet online workshop titled “EMODnet Marine Data for Ports, Marinas, and Boating.” The event was co-designed with key stakeholder networks from these Blue Economy sectors, including the European Boating Industry, TransEurope Marinas and the European Sea Port Organisation, in collaboration with the EC DG MARE and CINEA. DG MARE and the European Blue Economy Observatory provided opening remarks.
EMODnet experts from the Secretariat, Seabed Habitats, Human Activities and Physics demonstrated the EMODnet service, with particular focus on the coastal offer. Interactive discussions were held about data needs, requirements and use cases, with EMODnet Associated Partner Savvy Navvy presenting the use of EMODnet data products powering an App for recreational boaters to guide smarter anchorage to minimise impact to vulnerable marine seafloor ecosystems e.g., seagrass. EMODnet’s Data Ingestion then set the context for a dialogue on data sharing opportunities and how EMODnet’s public service can support organisations to provide FAIR data for EMODnet and the European Digital Twin Ocean. The invited participants represented diverse stakeholders, from port authorities to private sector companies, research and academia including European projects, European networks and initiatives, marine data services, and non-governmental organizations.
The workshop provided a platform for cross-sectoral dialogue on data needs and requirements for the ports, marinas and boating sector. It was divided into two sessions, with the first session focusing on demonstrating EMODnet’s services and for cross-sectoral dialogue on in situ marine environmental and human activities data needs and requirements for the ports, marinas and boating sector.
The full agenda included presentations by the Secretariat on the latest EMODnet offer and demonstrations from Human Activities (COGEA, Italy), Seabed habitats (JNCC, UK), and Physics (ETT, Italy). Additionally, external speakers from the European Blue Economy Observatory, Savvy navvy (EMODnet Associated Partner), Port of Livorno and Copernicus Marine service presented use cases of open source EMODnet and other marine data and services.
At the end of session one, a break-out discussion took place moderated by EMODnet Coordinators on the existing and emerging marine data needs and requirements to support the ports, marinas and boating sector.
Session two focused on data sharing, with a particular emphasis on how the ports, marinas and boating sector can contribute marine environmental data to EMODnet with presentations from EMODnet’s Data ingestion services and a presentation on the JPI Oceans scoping action on European Marinas Network by TransEurope Marinas. At the end of session two, a second break out discussion took place on the challenges and barriers for data sharing by the ports, marinas and boating sector.
Workshop participants and any stakeholders with concrete examples of using EMODnet to support this sector, or with any potential data that might be shared are encouraged to contact the EMODnet helpdesk with their query (secretariat@emodnet.ec.europa.eu).
A workshop report has been produced and is made publicly available via EMODnet and the EC Maritime Forum, with recommendations and outputs being communicated at upcoming events including the AIVP Annual Conference 2024, the BOOT 2025 Boat show in Dusseldorf, Germany and at EU Ocean Days 2025, European Maritime Day 2025 and more.
The agenda of the workshop, along with the PowerPoint presentation delivered during the event, are available within this article and on the Maritime Forum.
This workshop is part of a series of "EMODnet for Business" events with previous editions including Blue Economy sectors Aquaculture, Offshore Renewable Energy and Coastal tourism.