05/02/2025
The project "Centre of Excellence in Maritime Robotics and Technologies for Sustainable Blue Economy (CoE MARBLE)" was officially presented at the Brodarski Institut in Zagreb: this project is funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe Widening Program (Teaming for Excellence). The lead partner is the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing at the University of Zagreb (FER), key international partners are the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the National Research Council of Italy with the Institute of Marine Engineering (Cnr-Inm), and Croatian partners include Ru?er Bošković Institute, MARINN - Maritime Innovation Cluster, DIH Agrifood Croatia, and the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth of the Republic of Croatia.
The total value of the project, led by Prof. Nikola Mišković from FER, amounts to 30 million euros: the funds are allocated for building and renovating infrastructure, starting with the Brodarski Institut in Zagreb, which will be revitalized as the project’s headquarters, along with pilot sites in Šibenik and Rijeka, including a smart mussel farm, a smart marina, and a testing ground for autonomous vessels.
The official launch of the Centre’s construction and development was supported by numerous high-level representatives from the European Commission, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth, highlighting the importance of investing in the sustainable blue economy and maritime infrastructure innovations.
"The main purpose of this collaboration is to create new or upgrade existing centers of excellence by connecting with leading scientific institutions. Several key components will play an important role in their development, including excellence in research and innovation, as well as funding. You can truly be proud of everything you have achieved so far—sincere congratulations and best of luck," said Federica Roffi, Deputy Head of the Widening Participation Unit at the European Research Executive Agency.
"I am particularly pleased to be here today, as I have witnessed developments in Croatian shipbuilding for many years, which has been left without its research content in ship and maritime technologies. In a world of uncertain global events, Europe needs top-tier technological results that can be implemented into new industries with added value. I am confident that this project, which combines maritime technologies, artificial intelligence, and robotics, will achieve excellent results, in line with both the goals of the Republic of Croatia and the European Union’s policies," said Prof. Radovan Fuchs, Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Science, Education, and Youth.
"Today marks an important and significant achievement. I congratulate my colleagues who have built competencies through opportunities provided by the European Union and who have become champions of excellence with the project we present. We started with the sea, but we continue to expand into air and land. We will never give up on making this city the best place to live and this country connected and strong. Together, we can transform Croatia into a high-tech nation. Let’s not delay — now is the time", said Dean of FER, Prof. Vedran Bilas.
Project coordinator Prof. Nikola Mišković highlighted: "Over 50 employed experts will work on research within the Centre, focusing on autonomous underwater vehicles, underwater acoustic communication devices, utilizing ocean energy to enhance the endurance of autonomous underwater vehicles, as well as reconstructing maritime infrastructure and autonomous vessels through simulation models. This project places Croatia on the map of excellence in research and innovation."
Speakers also included Slávka Otčenášová, Policy Officer at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation; Sverre Steen, Head of the Department of Maritime Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Alessandro Iafrati, Director of Cnr-Inm; and Dr. Luka Korlaet, Deputy Mayor of the City of Zagreb.
It is worth noting that CoE MARBLE is one of only 12 projects selected from 115 proposals under the Teaming for Excellence call to receive a grant agreement from the European Union, as reported by the European Research Executive Agency (REA). The project is scheduled to last six years.
Per informazioni:
Massimo Caccia
Cnr-Inm
Sede secondaria di Genova
Via De Marini 16
16149, Genova
massimo.caccia@cnr.it
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