3-5 NOV 2026
GRAN VIA VENUE – BARCELONA
3-5 NOV 2026
GRAN VIA VENUE – BARCELONA
By World Ocean Council
The Market
09:45 - 10:15
The ocean economy is often described as one of the world’s greatest untapped opportunities. But how much of that potential is translating into viable businesses, credible returns and measurable impact? A candid opening conversation on where the market stands today and what must change next.
Waterside chat
*Organised by World Ocean Council
10:15 - 11:00
Blended finance has become a familiar answer to the funding gap in the blue economy. The harder question is whether it is delivering at the scale required. Panellists will examine the models gaining traction, the barriers slowing progress and the conditions needed to bring more private capital into the market.
Panel discussion
*Organised by World Ocean Council
11:00 –11:30
Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:00
Policy can create direction and reduce uncertainty, but projects still need clear revenue models, capable sponsors and a route to market before capital will move. The conversation will examine how we can help turn ambition into a credible pipeline of investable ocean projects.
Waterside chat
*Organised by World Ocean Council
12:00 - 12:15
The blue finance landscape is evolving quickly, with new funds, instruments and investor priorities shaping where capital flows. A concise market overview will highlight the sectors attracting attention, the gaps that remain and the signals likely to influence investment over the next five years.
*Organised by World Ocean Council
12:15 - 13:00
Not every promising idea will become an investable opportunity. Investors will share where they see the strongest prospects across the blue economy, which business models are likely to gain traction and what separates a compelling pitch from a fundable proposition.
Panel discussion
*Organised by World Ocean Council
13:00-14:15
Lunch Break
(BlueFIN delegates and Smart Ports speakers only)
14:15 - 15:00
Join a leading scaleup founder team along with partners and investors as they tease out the unique paths to formation, expansion and investment for a holistic solution for water and ocean health, revenue and special product based development and the municipal role as client.
*Organised by World Ocean Council and renasys
15:00 - 15:30
Climate and environmental risks are already affecting coastal infrastructure, maritime operations and ocean-dependent businesses. The conversation will explore how insurance, risk modelling and innovative financial products can protect assets, reward prevention and strengthen the investment case for resilience.
*Organised by World Ocean Council
15:30-16:00
Coffee Break
16:00 - 17:30
Scaling ocean solutions depends on more than a strong idea or available capital. Innovators need organisations ready to adopt proven solutions, while enablers need funders willing to support implementation and growth. Using the octopus and its three hearts as a framework, participants will identify where replication breaks down and build the connections needed to move successful solutions into new markets.
Workshop
*Organised by World Ocean Council & Okhtapus / O Lab
17:30-18:30
Drinks reception
(Bluefin Delegates only)
by Port of Barcelona
TBE Plaza
10:30 - 11:00
11:00 - 11:30
This session will present the results of the New Latitude programme, the Port of Barcelona’s open innovation initiative which aims to connect corporations and start-ups in order to solve real problems in the port and maritime industries. The session showcases how defined challenges are translated into validated solutions through collaboration with ecosystem partners. The session will highlight the key outcomes, lessons learned and initial impact of deployed use cases.
11:30 - 12:00
This session will present the results of Lighthouse, the international startup acceleration programme run by BlueTechPort and the Port of Barcelona. It will present key success cases and insights gained from the acceleration process.
12:00 - 12:45
This panel will explore how ports are redesigning their innovation models to create smarter, more connected and resilient ecosystems. It will also examine the key trends that will shape the next decade of maritime transformation.
12:45 - 13:15
Effective governance is essential to building coastal urban resilience, the ability of a coastal cities and regions to govern, plan, and transform its territory to anticipate, withstand, and adapt territorial and socio-economic risks. The Barcelona Manifesto, a global roadmap designed to promote science- and data-based solutions for coastal urban resilience built on the specific perspectives, views and needs of local and supralocal governments.
13:00-14:15
Lunch Break
(BlueFIN delegates and Smart Ports speakers only)
14:30 - 15:30
A fast-paced showcase of emerging solutions for smarter, more sustainable and connected ports.
15:30 - 16:15
Ports are evolving into strategic innovation platforms that bring together logistics, energy, technology and industry. Beyond infrastructure, they are becoming ecosystems where capital, technology and industry converge to drive innovation with real-world impact at scale. This session will explore how strategic investments in port innovation can generate economic returns, boost industrial competitiveness and create sustainable impacts. The panel will also discuss how ports can establish themselves as attractive locations for innovation-driven growth and the creation of long-term value.
16:15 - 17:00
A fast-paced showcase of emerging solutions for smarter, more sustainable and connected ports.