3-5 NOV 2026
GRAN VIA VENUE – BARCELONA

Day 3 | 5 November

Sustainable Ocean Summit

By World Ocean Council

The Market

 09:45 - 10:30

Policy, Industry, Finance: Are We Aligned Yet?


Policy sets the direction, industry turns ambition into action and finance determines what can move at scale. Yet these three forces do not always work at the same pace or towards the same priorities. The panel will examine where alignment is improving, where gaps continue to hold progress back and what each group needs from the others to accelerate delivery.

*Organised by World Ocean Council

MODERATOR:
  • Patricia Puig, Program Development & Grants Consultant, World Ocean Council

SPEAKERS:

  • Julie Olivier, Project Manager - International Cooperation for the EU Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership 
  • Adrià Jover, President, International Electric Maritime Association
  • Jenny Cornuelle Krusoe, Executive Vice President/Founder/Chief Operating Officer, AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles

 10:30 - 11:00

A Just Ocean Transition: Who Benefits?

Growth and decarbonisation can create new opportunities across the ocean economy, but the costs and benefits will not be shared automatically. The conversation will consider what a just transition means for workers, coastal communities and smaller businesses, and how social outcomes can be built into the sector’s transformation.

*Organised by World Ocean Council

MODERATOR:

  • Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy, CEO & Managing Director, Okhtapus/World Ocean Council

SPEAKERS:

  • Xavier Rubio Franch, Founder, The Ocean Connections & Old Surfer
  • Dr Laura Canevari, Secretary ITACA Futures, ITACA

11:00 –11:30

Coffee Break
(SOS delegates only)

11:30 - 12:15

Seafarers at the Centre of Maritime Transformation

The maritime sector is changing rapidly, but its future will depend on the people working at sea. Bringing together seafarer perspectives, the panel will examine working conditions, wellbeing, skills, technology and the impact of the green transition, while asking what must change to ensure that progress across the industry also delivers for its workforce.

*Organised by World Ocean Council

SPEAKERS:

  • Eric Dawicki, President, Northeast Maritime Institute College of Maritime Science 
  • Dr Khanssa, Lagdami, Associate Professor of Maritime Labour Law and Policy, World Maritime University (ITF Seafarers Trust)

12:15 -13:00

AI, Data & Ocean Intelligence: Gamechanger or Overhyped?

 

AI, data and ocean intelligence are changing how we understand, monitor and manage the marine environment. Yet questions remain around data quality, access, cost and practical application. The conversation will examine where these tools are already delivering value, where expectations may be running ahead of reality and what is needed to support better decisions.

*Organised by World Ocean Council

SPEAKERS:
  • Karine Toumazeau, CEO, Moshun.Earth SAS
  • Kurt Dusterhoff, Senior Manager, Technology Strategy Unit, Fujitsu Research of Europe, Ltd.

13:00 - 13:45

Who Buys Blue Innovation? From Pilot to Procurement

 

Promising solutions cannot scale without customers ready to adopt them. The panel will examine how corporate procurement, public purchasing and demand from ports and cities can move blue technologies from pilot projects to recurring contracts.

*Organised by World Ocean Council

13:45 - 14:00

Closing / Wrap-up

Tomorrow Blue Economy 

by Port of Barcelona

TBE Plaza

09:45 - 10:30 

Blue Innovation for North Africa and the Greater Mediterranean

 

North Africa and the greater Mediterranean are home to fast‑growing coastal economies, expanding maritime industries and a rising generation of ocean innovators. Yet the region also faces real constraints: climate pressures, workforce shortages and fragmented pathways for investment and scale.
This panel will explore where blue innovation is already taking shape, which local solutions are ready to grow, and how leaders across government, finance, industry and entrepreneurship can mobilise the skills, capital and cross‑border partnerships needed to turn shared maritime challenges into shared opportunity.

*Organised by World Ocean Council
 
MODERATOR:

  • Leila Ben Hassen. Founder and CEO, Blue Jay Catalyst

SPEAKERS: 

  • Ines Boujmil, RDI Projects Coordinator and EU Policy Advisor , AquaBioTech Group

10:30 - 11:15 

Regenerative Blue Economy: Levers to Success

 

Renewing the capacity of marine and coastal systems to generate value instead of merely sustaining it. A great vision! How do we achieve it practically? WIBE is the network for women shaping the blue economy. A space for female leaders and community shapers to connect, share experiences, and opportunities.

*Organised by Women in Blue Economy

MODERATOR:

  • Alice Schroeder, CEO, Unu Oceano
SPEAKERS:

  • Emma Cobos, Director of Innovation and Blue Economy, Port de Barcelona
  • Hoa Doan, Head of Impact and Sustainability, Notpla
  • Ines Mas de la Peña, Program Manager, Climate KIC

11:15 - 11:45

 Ocean Pollution: From Clean-Up to Prevention

 

 Moving beyond clean-up, this presentation will examine how regulation, product design, monitoring and business innovation can prevent waste and harmful materials from reaching the marine environment.

*Organised by World Ocean Council

MODERATOR:

  • Mark Ko, Secretary / Treasurer / Managing Director, Tian San Shipping
SPEAKERS:

  • Linda Breukers, Waste Management and Circular Economy Expert, Company
  • Santi Mier, CEO and Founder, Oceans52

11:45 - 12:30

Cities on the Front Line: Turning Coastal Resilience into Action 

 

Coastal cities are already facing the effects of rising seas, extreme weather and increasing pressure on infrastructure and communities. The challenge is no longer simply recognising the risks, but deciding what to prioritise and how to act. The panel will explore how cities are translating resilience plans into practical measures, mobilising investment and working across departments and sectors to protect people, assets and coastal ecosystems.

*Organised by World Ocean Council

MODERATOR:

  • Cheryl Hapke, Coastal Resilience Strategist, Hapke Coastal LLC

12:30 – 13:15

Talent for the Blue Economy: Skills, Pathways and Workforce Transition

This session will explore how training, employment services and industry demand are being aligned to develop the talent needed for the blue economy. It will highlight practical approaches to skills development, workforce transition and career pathways in maritime and port-related sectors.

*Organised by Barcelona Activa

SPEAKERS:

  • Marta Miquel, Deputy General Director at Escola Europea, Intermodal Transport
  • Miquel Canals, Director of the Sustainable Blue Economy Chair, University of Barcelona

13.15 - 16:15

Blue Economy Job Marketplace: Meet the Employers


Leading organisations from across the blue economy will introduce their work, workplace culture and current talent needs. The presentations will give professionals and students an insight into the range of career paths available across the sector and help participants prepare for the networking and interviews that follow.

*Organised by Barcelona Activa and the Chair of the Sustainable Blue Economy at the University of Barcelona

13.15 - 14:00

Blue Economy Job Marketplace: Meet the Employers


Leading organisations from across the blue economy will introduce their work, workplace culture and current talent needs. The presentations will give professionals and students an insight into the range of career paths available across the sector and help participants prepare for the networking and interviews that follow.

*Organised by Barcelona Activa and the Chair of the Sustainable Blue Economy at the University of Barcelona

14.00 - 16:15

Blue Economy Job Marketplace: Networking and Interviews


Following the company presentations, candidates will have the opportunity to meet participating employers through informal networking and a series of interviews. Designed for professionals, students, junior candidates and people looking to reskill, the activity will create direct connections with companies seeking talent across the blue economy.

*Organised by Barcelona Activa and the Chair of the Sustainable Blue Economy at the University of Barcelona


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