Space4Maritime: diving into space-based solutions for the maritime domain. Case studies to identify challenges and opportunities to foster to collaboration between service providers and maritime end- users’ communities

Paper number

IAC-21,B5,2,9,x66664

Author

Mrs. Alessandra Vernile, France, EURISY

Coauthor

Ms. Annalisa Donati, France, EURISY

Year

2021

Abstract

Blue Economy encompasses those sectors and activities related to oceans, seas and coasts, such as fisheries, energy, aquaculture, natural resources, logistics, safety and security, transport, port activities, tourism, and shipbuilding repairs. Europe represents one of the leading maritime power in the world. In 2018, the EU Blue economy generated €750 billion in turnover and €218 billion in gross value added and directly employed about 5 million people. 

Satellite applications bring an added-value in creating innovative and sustainable growth path for many industries, as in the maritime domain. In this context, satellite technology provides marine operators with reliable real-time information while ensuring coverage of vast and unreachable areas.  
 
In recent years, maritime operators are facing new challenges: from coastal management to navigation assistance, as well as biodiversity protection and disaster response and management. Satellite data provides a plethora of reliable and easy-to-use solutions for aquaculture, fisheries, algal bloom, safety and security, and coastal development, to name a few. Nevertheless, the take-up of satellite-based solutions is far from being achieved. Scepticism persists from the end- users’ side due to a series of factors as a lack of clear communication with service providers; a poor understanding of the benefits related to the integration of satellite-based solutions in their workflow; financial constraints; and a lack of knowledge and competencies for implementing and using satellite-based services efficiently.

Recently, Eurisy launched the initiative Space4Maritime. The objective is to identify and understand the needs of European maritime end-user communities, facilitating the dialogue with the space industry and the uptake of satellite services. In this frame, Eurisy started a series of interviews with end-users identified in the blue world. The result of these interviews is the core of the paper. The overall objective is to identify the existing operational solutions applicable in the maritime domain through practical examples, as well as the bottlenecks that harness the potential of satellite applications for the sustainable growth of the Blue Economy. The paper will mainly address service providers and public authorities, providing them with a set of recommendations on how to foster cooperation with maritime operators. But it also targets potential new end-users interested in adopting satellite solutions in their workflow. The case studies will be complemented by additional information collected through desk research and the organization of thematic webinars.

Abstract document

IAC-21,B5,2,9,x66664.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-21,B5,2,9,x66664.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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