Les saken på norsk Europe’s leading environments for ocean technology and drone innovation are joining forces through the launch of EUROCEAN, a new European network initiated by Ocean Autonomy Cluster (Norway) together with DronePort Rotterdam (The Netherlands), The Intelligent Transportation Systems Lab - Smart Move (Greece), and Innovamare (Croatia). The initiative marks a new stage in European collaboration aimed at strengthening the continent’s position in ocean autonomy, testing, and commercialization. EUROCEAN builds on several years of partnership between the founding organizations. Its goal is to connect test arenas and innovation ecosystems across Europe, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to access pilot customers, investors, and shared infrastructure. The network will also work to align regulatory frameworks and develop common standards for autonomous and remotely operated systems at sea. - Europe can’t afford fragmented innovation in critical ocean technologies, says Frode Halvorsen, Cluster Manager at Ocean Autonomy Cluster. -EUROCEAN is about connecting our test facilities, aligning our approaches, and helping new technologies reach the market faster. Bjørn Damhaug, CEO of Fremtidens Industri (FI), Norway’s leading organization for cluster management and innovation ecosystems, and the parent organization of Ocean Autonomy Cluster, says EUROCEAN represents an important step in connecting Europe’s strongest maritime regions. - This is about linking innovation ecosystems, not research silos. From Trondheim to Rotterdam and the Adriatic, we’re turning Europe’s maritime competence into commercial strength. Frode Halvorsen, Cluster Manager at Ocean Autonomy Cluster. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Building resilience through European cooperation Each partner contributes unique strengths to the collaboration. In Norway, Ocean Autonomy Cluster anchors the initiative in Trondheim, a global hub for ocean technology and home to NTNU, SINTEF, and the Testination test arena. DronePort Rotterdam brings expertise from Europe’s largest port and advanced infrastructure for aerial and maritime drone testing. Aegean University adds deep academic knowledge in marine systems engineering and autonomous operations, while Innovamare connects a vibrant network of Blue Economy innovators and maritime SMEs in the Adriatic region. The establishment of EUROCEAN comes at a time when ocean technologies are increasingly linked to Europe’s strategic resilience, from protecting subsea infrastructure to securing sustainable energy supply and logistics. In line with the EU’s Blue Economy and Digital Europe strategies, EUROCEAN contributes to Europe’s goals for resilience, sustainable ocean management, and technological sovereignty. The partners see the network as a practical response to these priorities, ensuring that technological innovation supports both civilian and dual-use applications. - There is enormous potential in connecting Europe’s test arenas and technology hubs,” says Halvorsen. “We have complementary strengths and together we can accelerate innovation that benefits both industry and society. Bjørn Damhaug, CEO of Fremtidens Industri Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri From collaboration to coordinated impact The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing EUROCEAN is now being signed, marking the beginning of coordinated efforts to strengthen testing standards, regulatory frameworks, and access to capital for emerging ocean-technology companies. Several additional organizations across Europe have already expressed interest in joining, underlining a shared recognition of the need for collaboration in maritime autonomy. EUROCEAN reflects a broader shift in Europe’s approach to innovation, one that connects technology, commercialization, and resilience. By bringing together expertise from leading regions, the network aims to strengthen Europe’s ability to develop, test, and deploy the next generation of ocean technologies. -EUROCEAN represents a step toward European technological sovereignty at sea, says Halvorsen. - It’s about building a more connected, competitive, and sustainable framework for ocean innovation. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri About EUROCEAN partners Ocean Autonomy Cluster (Norway): Norway’s leading cluster for ocean autonomy and maritime robotics, part of Fremtidens Industri (FI). DronePort Rotterdam (Netherlands): European centre for autonomous and uncrewed systems across space, air, land, water, and subsea domains. Located in Europe’s largest port, DronePort connects partners to develop and scale dual-use technologies that enhance operational resilience, and strengthen Europe’s strategic and digital autonomy. Aegean University (Greece): Academic leader in maritime systems, robotics, and engineering education. Innovamare (Croatia): Blue Economy cluster fostering collaboration and entrepreneurship among maritime SMEs and technology developers in the Adriatic.