Mediterranean Blue Economy Conference
Driving Interregional Innovation & Sustainable Growth
23rd June 2026, Cartagena, Spain
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The Mediterranean Blue Economy Conference 2026 will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, startups, investors, ports, fisheries, and coastal stakeholders to explore the future of sustainable maritime innovation in the Western Mediterranean.
Organised within the MED-Hubs project, the conference will focus on strengthening interregional collaboration between Spain, Italy, and other Mediterranean regions, advancing Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3), and accelerating the development and deployment of blue economy solutions.
More details on agenda and speakers are coming soon.
Register for the event
Location
Venue: Faculty of Business Sciences, C. Real, 3, 30201 Cartagena, Murcia, Spain.
The Mediterranean Blue Economy Conference 2026 will be hosted by the Faculty of Business Sciences of the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT).
UPCT is one of the key partners of the MED-Hubs project and leads the development of the Spanish blue economy testbed focused on marine renewable energy and real-world pilot validation.
Download the guide on how to reach the location and see hotels recommendations.
Agenda
09:00 – 9:30 Registration & Welcome Coffee
- Pablo Marín Noriega, Director General of Coastline and Ports
09:50 –10:10 MED-Hubs: Building Blue Economy Innovation Hubs
- Thomas Kösters, Co-Founder & CEO, DEEP Ecosystems
10:10 – 10:40 Keynote Session – The Next Wave of Blue Growth: Innovation and Investment Shaping Europe’s Ocean Economy
- Dilyara Bakhtieva, Economist in the Unit for Maritime Innovation, Marine Knowledge and Investment, DG MARE, European Commission
10:40 – 10:55 Coffee break
10:55 – 11:40 Panel 1 – From Policy to Practice: Implementing Blue Economy Smart Specialization Strategies (S3)
Speakers:
- Begüm Önal, Founder & Consultant, B-NL Academy & Consultancy
- José Carlos García Martínez, Head of Business Development and European Funding - European Business and Innovation Centre Cartagena, Head of Startups at CAETRA
- Alix Willemez, Independent Expert in Ocean Governance, Climate Finance & Sustainable Development
Moderated by: Miguel Hernandez Rosas, Manager at GALP Mallorca
11:40 –12:25 Panel 2 – Connecting Mediterranean Innovation Ecosystems for Blue Growth
Speakers:
- Celia Murcia, Consultant, WestMED Assistance Mechanism Coordinator
- Andreas Klapsis, Head of Growth, Startup Greece
- Pedro Bobião, Founder & Managing Director, Vide de Grunwald
Moderated by: Elisa Van Engelenhoven, EU Project Manager at FORMARE
12:25 – 14:00 Lunch & Networking
14:00-14:30 Keynote Session – Turning Waves into Energy: Innovation for a Resilient Blue Economy
- Iñigo Doria, CEO of Arrecife
14:30 – 15:15 Panel 3 – Empowering Coastal Communities in the Blue Economy Transition
- Javier Fernandez Lopez, Technical Director at ECORYS
- Avinash Shedge, Biosecurity Consultant – Provider of Sustainable solutions for Water remediation, Aquaculture, Oceans & Maritime Industry, Samthan Shedge
- Finn van der Aar, Marine Biologist Specialising in Coastal Communities, Sustainable Tourism, and the Blue Economy, Saltwater Stories
- Mathias Charles, CEO of Live Love Recycle
Moderated by: Shivam Dhawan, Founder of Getboarded
15:15 – 15:45 Coffee Break & Networking
15:45 – 16:30 Panel 4 – Financing & Scaling Blue Innovation
Speakers:
- Pranav Tetali, Founder & CEO, Omni Wind
- Angus Murphy, Associate, Aquamarine
- Hector Gonzalez Menendez, NPC of European Programs, The Centre for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI)
- Abraham Trujillo Quintela, Head of Unit “European Research Area” – Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT)
Moderated by: Dr. Shkelzen Marku, Co-founder and CEO of YSB/Enterimpact Balkans and Growpreneur Accelerator
16:30 –16:50 Session by the Institute for the Promotion of the Region of Murcia
16:50 – 17:00 Closing Remarks
19:00 – 22:00 Sightseeing tour and networking dinner
About MED-Hubs
MED-Hubs is a European initiative connecting Spain and Italy through two innovation hubs focused on marine renewable energy and sustainable fishing/aquaculture technologies. The project helps innovators test, validate, and scale cutting-edge solutions that support a sustainable and competitive blue economy in the Western Mediterranean.
Our mission is to accelerate blue economy innovation by providing testbeds, cross-border collaboration, and market-oriented support that turns promising ideas into trusted solutions for ports, fisheries, SMEs, and policymakers.
Key Objectives
Build interregional partnerships aligned with Smart Specialization Strategies (S3)
Innovation incubation and training
Prototype testing in ports and real environments
Strengthen market readiness & investment attractiveness
Support ports, fishermen, SMEs & coastal communities
Replicate the model across Mediterranean regions
Our Testbeds
Spain - Marine Energy Hub
(Cartagena / Region of Murcia)
The Marine Energy Hub supports the development of small‑scale marine renewable energy devices for vessels and harbour applications, following a structured “From the Idea to the Real World” pathway:
- progressive testing environments—from feasibility support to prototype testing in a hydrodynamic channel and controlled open‑sea trials
- access to real marine data and testing infrastructure
- industry engagement, regulatory facilitation, and access to multiple ports
Italy - ALFA Hub
(Campania Region)
Bringing digital innovation to small-scale fisheries through the ALFA platform.
The ALFA Testbed is an experimental research pilot project that involves activities to be carried out during local fishing operations, with the aim of developing a digital platform for the automated compilation of the catch register, aimed at:
- simplifying the daily activities of fishermen;
- enhance the entire fish supply chain;
- contribute to scientific research on marine biodiversity and the health of ecosystems.
Meet our startups
The MED-Hubs Acceleration Program has selected 15 promising startups developing solutions for a more sustainable, resilient, and innovative blue economy. These ventures work across marine renewable energy, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, smart ports, and sustainable maritime mobility, bringing breakthrough technologies closer to pilot deployment and market uptake.
Sensemakers
TUCCO
NAUTRACKER
Vessel X
Seares
SolarSub
CORAlliance
ExypnoTech
Reefsupport
ODYBOAT
PONTOS
Recycllux Malta Limited
DuWo
Bout
BioBright Algae
News & Events
Blue Economy Intelligence
Explore key data trends and opportunities in the blue economy, that can support sustainable growth through strategic connections and long-term partnerships.
Observatory Panel
The MED-Hubs Observatory Panel is a group of experts and regional representatives who help guide, validate and scale the project’s results. It brings together members from at various regions, including authorities, port and fisheries representatives, innovation agencies and researchers.
Stephanie Vella
WestMED National Hub Malta
James Ellsmoor
CEO of Island Innovation
Matt Bjerregaard Walsh
ReefScan, European Commission, United Nations
Carla De Carolis
Co-Founder and R&D Director, BIOCHICA
Mounir Ghribi
Director of International Cooperation and Research Promotion at OGS
Esther Lokhorst
CAO at RanMarine Technology
Beladjine Boumediene
Lecturer-Researcher at Laboratory of Maritime Sciences and
Engineering
Giorgio Betteto
R&D CTO of Gees Recycling Italy
Miguel Hernandez Rosas
Manager at GALP Mallorca
Diego Santaliana
Manager at Polo Tecnologico Alto Adriatico SCPA
Join the MED-Hubs Community
Be part of the Mediterranean blue economy innovation ecosystem and connect with innovators, ports, researchers, policymakers, and investors. Get access to opportunities, insights, publications, events, and collaboration across Spain, Italy, and beyond.
Mediterranean Blue Economy Hubs: Maritime Innovation for Smart Specialization
EMFAF-2025-PIA-FLAGSHIP
The MED-Hubs activities are co-funded under the project Mediterranean Blue Economy Hubs: Maritime Innovation for Smart Specialization supported by the European Union’s European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) under grant agreement No 101241440.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.