The Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI), CoE MARBLE and INESCTEC.OCEAN – Centre of Excellence in Ocean Research and Engineering, leading research and innovation centres for the blue economy, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the 17th International Interdisciplinary Field Workshop of Maritime Robotics and Applications, ‘Breaking the Surface’ 2025.
The MoU marks a new chapter of long-term collaboration in marine and maritime innovation between the three Centres of Excellence from Cyprus, Croatia and Portugal respectively.
The cooperation will focus on jointly establishing specific R&I programs or projects of mutual interest in the areas of marine and maritime science and technology, which will include, among others, big data and cyber security, robotics and autonomous systems, materials, structures and testing, sensors for environmental monitoring, modelling and mapping, energy and subsea resources, vessel design and performance, digitalisation and other Blue Economy applications.
Moreover, at the heart of this MoU is a shared commitment to cooperate jointly in organising training courses, mobility programs, industrial attachments, seminars, symposia, workshops and conferences related to marine and maritime science and technology.
Present at the signing ceremony were H.E. Aleksandar Sunko, Ambassador of Croatia to Cyprus (based in Athens), Ioannis Kyriakides, CMMI’s Marine Technology Research Director and Diana Viegas, INESCTEC.OCEAN Project Lead and Senior Researcher at INESC TEC.
About CMMI and INESCTEC.OCEAN
The Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) is an independent, international, science and business-driven research, innovation, and technology development centre established to promote excellence in the marine and maritime sectors. CMMI engages in multidisciplinary research, fosters innovation, and drives sustainable growth in the Blue Economy.
INESCTEC.OCEAN is the first Portuguese Centre of Excellence fully dedicated to Ocean Research and Engineering. It was established to address global marine challenges through cutting-edge science, technology, and collaboration. Rooted in Portugal’s historical connection to the sea, the Centre aims to build a forward-looking future where the ocean becomes a cornerstone of climate resilience, economic development, and sustainable solutions for a green future.