Visit to ESTEC, Noordwijk, Holland

ESA, ESTEC, february 2024

On February 13th ESA arranged "Space for Blue" at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Holland.

ESTEC is the technical heart of ESA and the incubator of the European space effort. Most of ESAs project are born here and are guided through the various phases of development by more than 2000 specialists who work there.

The Space for Blue event explored the possibilities that lie in the intersection between space and the maritime sectors and talks from key stakeholders dicussed challenges across the three key areas maritime safety and security, maritime sustainability and blue economy.

The background for the event was that theThe maritime sector is crucial for the global economy, facilitating international trade, transportation, energy production, and food supply. Shipping is the most efficient method for long-distance transport, handling around 95% of global trade volume. Ports and shipping lanes are vital for the global supply chain. Fisheries and aquaculture provide food, particularly in coastal and developing regions and oceans hold significant energy resources. Despite its importance, the industry faces environmental challenges such as pollution, driving the adoption of greener technologies. Geopolitical issues like illegal migration, border security, smuggling, and piracy are also pressing concerns. To address these challenges, the industry is increasingly turning to space-based services for timely and cost-effective solutions.

Speakers included representatives from TT Club, Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands Coast Guard, KSAT, DLR GfR mbH, and Space Norway in the first session on Maritime Safety and Security. The second session on Maritime Sustainability featured speakers from Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center, International Windship Association, MSC, DNV, Toqua, and Amphitrite. The third session on Blue Economy included speakers from World Bank, Dutch Marine Energy Centre, MSE International, World Ocean Council, Economist Impact's World Ocean Initiative, TripleAlpha, and International Union for Conservation of Nature.

In the evening of the 13th we visited the first ESA business incubator in Noordwijk for a a roundtour and an introduction to their work.

On the 14th we also had the pleasure for a private tour around the ESTEC premisses by Stefan Gustavsson, from ESA Commercialisation Department with discussions on ESA Bic and future plans.