WestMED and Atlantic Sea Basin Cooperation in Focus at Euromaritime 2026
Marseille, 5 February 2026 – The French National Hub for the WestMED and Atlantic Sea Basin Strategies, hosted a workshop during Euromaritime 2026, highlighting new cooperation opportunities and digital services supporting the blue economy.
The workshop formed part of a wider National Hub presence at this exhibition that has grown into France’s flagship event for sustainable maritime innovation – attracting on average more than 5000 visitors.
With a dedicated stand, the National Hub was able to showcase its services and directly engage with visitors. The stand’s location alongside Région Sud and Pôle Mer Méditerranée significantly increased its visibility and attention.
Over three days, the National Hub met with numerous people amongst which more than ten notable SMEs that showed substantial interest in support – particularly focused on consortium building.
High‑level engagement
High‑level visits from the Minister of the Sea and Fisheries and the Director‑General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture provided an opportunity to discuss the forthcoming Ocean Act, the implications of the European Ocean Pact, and the role of EU sea‑basin strategies in implementing France’s national strategy for the sea and seashore endorsed in June 2024.
Joint WestMED-Atlantic workshop: Showcasing digital capabilities for maritime stakeholders
Approximately 30 people joined the workshop that was organised by the National Hub on the last day of the exhibition. This workshop was focused on digital products, services and cooperation opportunities supporting the blue economy at national and European level.
The National Hub provided a snapshot of its role in supporting sustainable blue economy projects. This was illustrated with some successful examples of projects in both the Atlantic (SMARTDEC, FISHINN, BLUESHUTTLE) and the Western Mediterranean (CallMeBlue, Community4Innovation, MedBAN).
This snapshot also provided an opportunity to underline the added value of having both Pôles Mer (Atlantique and Mediterranée) strongly involved in the National Hub.
Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique then provided a general overview of national-level digital data portals related to thematic areas such as environment, maritime safety, and maritime spatial planning. Two of these were illustrated by SHOM and Mercator Ocean International. These service providers demonstrated their Data Digital Portal and Copernicus Marine Services that are largely open and designed to address both global and specific user needs. Their links with EMODNET and the European Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO) were noted as a basis for direct cooperation. (Download the presentation slides – pdf)
The digital solutions presented by SYROCO and THALOS, demonstrated the readiness to respond to concrete operational performance needs, such as energy savings through optimized ship routing and real-time identification of fishing areas.
The event was concluded by the French Ministry of the Sea with an update on European developments, particularly following the publication of the Ocean Pact in June 2025 and the ongoing EU consultations (calls for evidence) contributing to the definition of the future Ocean Act. (Download the presentation slides – pdf)
Overall, this national event offered a comprehensive overview of national capabilities supporting the blue economy. It emphasized that strong interconnections at both national and European levels are a key enabler for cooperation, supporting public authorities across all sea basins, and highlighted a mature, bankable offer responding to growing economic demand from blue economy sectors.
Download the presentation slides – pdf
For more information: contact Frederick Herpers (French National Hub for the WestMED and the Atlantic)
