Overview
Main strategic objective (in line with WATERBORNE-TP) of the Maritime Europe Strategy Action (MESA - FOSTER WATERBORNE), is to strengthen the effectiveness of the research and innovation capacities of the European maritime industry by means of:
- Optimisation of the European maritime RDI strategies;
- Improvement of the stakeholder's network, of the use and dissemination of the research results, and by means of increasing the visibility of the R&I findings;
- Fostering the definition of the maritime R&I transport policies.
MESA is:
- providing support to the WATERBORNE TP work, enlarging and maintaining it,
- identifying 4 major themes (implemented via Thematic Technology Groups on Energy Efficiency, Safety, Production, E-Maritime) and performing an in-depth analysis and assessment of the achievements at EU and National level, to foster future strategic lines in research and innovation,
- updating the strategic research agenda and creating an innovation agenda contributing to close the gaps between research and market uptake,
- enhancing a network for the exchange of ideas and priorities,
- acting as major player for dissemination, raising waterborne value chain profile and visibility in Europe.
Foresight activity will provide market, societal and regulatory trends studies, contributing to transport RDI policies.
An Integration Group will issue Strategic documents for the waterborne sector: VISIONS2030, Strategic Research Agenda, Innovation Agenda, Implementation Plan, homogenizing findings of the Thematic Technology Groups and the Foresight.
A comprehensive communication strategy will be implemented including coverage of the TRA2014, 2016, Technology Workshops, Major Conferences, Newsletter, Brokerage Events, Show Cases of successful projects, TRIP liaison, etc. MESA involves 28 partners, (industrial, research, education, associations) ensuring the widest possible participation accustomed to work together since many years, in the majority of EU projects and in the WATERBORNE-TP.
Funding
Results
Final Report Summary - MESA (MESA - Maritime Europe Strategy Action - FOSTER Waterborne)
Executive Summary:
The Maritime Europe Strategy Action (MESA – FOSTER WATERBORNE) project was conceived to support the activities of the WATERBORNE Technology Platform.
The MESA methodology was structured to foster new market needs, innovative ideas and research gaps through several implementation measures and groups such as:
- Thematic Technology Groups of highly skilled and innovation-minded industry professionals and scientists, to identify the state-of-the-art and R&D gaps;
- A Foresight Support Group, to identify long-term market, societal and regulatory needs; and
- An Integration Group, to translate both the R&D gaps and the foresight needs into the WTB strategy.
- A dissemination team, to ensure Europe-wide exploitation of the results and information gained throughout the project
The Thematic Technology Groups shared a common methodology and had the following objectives:
- Cluster major research projects relevant to the theme, and assess their relevant results;
- Organise appropriate conferences and workshops, bringing together industrial and research stakeholders;
- Identify gaps and RDI needs;
- Provide recommendations for future RDI;
- Monitor research project developments
- Propose research and innovation Implementation plans;
- Identify success stories in EU funded projects;
- Support the implementation of the research results for market uptake;
The responsibility of Foresight Support Group was to study trends in the Market, Societal, and Regulatory frameworks within the period to 2030. Along with the TTGs, the results of the Foresight Support Group fed into the work of the Integration Group. The Integration Group incorporated the leaders of the TTGs and the partners participating in the other WPs. This acted as an integration body, incorporating the results of the four TTGs and the Foresight Support Group, and supporting the preparation of the key Strategic documents, i.e.: Vision 2030; Updated Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda; Implementation Plan and Innovation Route Map;
Another input to the Integration Group was the Advisory Committee, chaired by CEREMA – chairman of the Mirror group inside the WATERBORNE TP. The Advisory committee was formed of National Administrations and representatives of the EC institutions. This ensured that the early documents received input from Member States and other European bodies formulating policy within the maritime sector.
The key areas for future opportunities have been identified as:
- Smart vessels, fleets and ports
- Automated and autonomous vessels
- Ultra-low energy and emissions vessels and systems
- Safe, secure and adaptable passenger vessels for inland, inshore and offshore duties
- Green, efficient and flexible inland-waterway vessels
List of Websites:
The address of the project public website: http://waterborne-tp.org