MSE International has won funding to lead this new project which will support existing European enterprises in the co-creation of innovative services combining Earth Observation data and information services to meet the operational needs of various industry sectors including renewable energy, ports and infrastructures, fish and aquaculture, tourism, emerging pollutants and others. The project is being funded by ESA (European Space Agency) within its Atlantic Regional Initiative.

ESA has recognised the critical role that innovation clusters have to play in building international partnerships and in mobilizing initiatives that enhance cross-sector exchanges and collaborations. This project has been developed to create and demonstrate a framework in which innovative EO-based application developments can be accelerated,  exploiting the world-leading expertise across the Atlantic region.

The project will involve the identification of market and innovation needs and capability mapping of major centres of expertise to identify strengths and current innovation projects within the Atlantic cluster organisations and their memberships. The project will identify potential synergies with space agencies and funding bodies outside Europe and will develop road-mapping and consortiums to enable investment and commitment to take forward two innovation priorities as demonstrators.

The project will look at sectors including marine renewable energy, ocean surveillance, sustainability and nature capital, ports and shipping, fishing and tourism and climate change impacts including coastal tourism. Through extensive stakeholder and user engagement, MSE aims to put together the case for investment, supported by an evidence base of technological advances and policy development impacts. The project will involve a diverse and expanding community of businesses, research centres and public authorities.

Commenting on the launch of the project, Dr Jonathan Williams, CEO of MSE International said. “There are growing demands for ocean surveillance and environmental monitoring, whether for compliance, consenting or operational efficiency.  This project will help to exploit the expanding capabilities in Earth Observation to build solutions to these market needs.”

To be kept informed of project developments, events and workshops please sign up to the MSE International Surveillance, Earth Observation Interest Group here.