On 1 September 2026, the Innovation at Sea conference will take place at SMM Hamburg, Germany, from 10:00 to 15:00. CirclesOfLife collaborates with the Dutch trade association Maritime and Offshore NL for the maritime and offshore manufacturing industry to organise the conference. Through this programme, the aim is to contribute to the transition of the European maritime manufacturing industry by connecting Dutch and European innovation capabilities with the broader European Industrial Maritime Strategy (EIMS).
As seating is limited, we recommend booking your place now. CirclesOfLife will take part in the programme organised by the Dutch trade association and consortium partner Maritime & Offshore NL.
You can register here
European Innovation at SEA | 10:00 – 12:30
The morning programme, European Innovation at SEA, focuses on European collaboration and policy development within the maritime sector. With a specific focus on the European Industrial Maritime Strategy (EIMS), the first panel explores the role of maritime innovation in shaping future-proof maritime policies, including a broader perspective on the relationship between the EIMS and innovation. And this panel delves deeper into the conditions, opportunities, and supporting factors that enable the implementation of the EIMS – the so-called enablers. It is a pleasure to welcome the following speakers:
- Dario Bazargan – Policy Officer in the European Commission’s Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW)
- Christophe Tytgat – Secretary General SEA Europe
- Thecla Bodewes – CEO and owner of Thecla Bodewes Group
- Jaap Gebraad – Secretary General Waterborne Technology Platform
- Jon Steinlein – Advisor Technology, Innovation and Regulatory Affairs at the German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association (VSM)
Moderator: Luc Kronenberg
The second panel of the morning focuses on the CirclesOfLife project, which brings together European maritime stakeholders to advance sustainable and circular practices across the entire maritime value chain. The following speakers share their experiences of participating in a Horizon project, reflect on the importance and impact of such initiatives, and present the latest insights and developments from CirclesOfLife:
- Jorinus Kalis – Manager Process Innovation at DAMEN and project coordinator CirclesOfLife (COL)
- Stephan Wurst – Managing partner at BALance Technology Consulting GmbH (BAL)
- Matthias Krause – Manager Research and Development | Materials and fabrication at Center of Maritime Technologies gGmbH
- Cherif Belgaroui (GME) – Program Manager at Green Marine Europe
Moderator: Rosanne van Houwelingen
Dutch Innovation at SEA | 13:30 – 15:00
In the afternoon, the focus shifts to Dutch Innovation at SEA, highlighting the Dutch maritime ecosystem and its innovative strength. These sessions provide a platform to showcase the dynamics of the industry and highlight innovative solutions in areas such as the energy transition, digitalisation and human capital. Together, these sessions demonstrate the diversity, ambition, and forward-looking nature of the Dutch maritime sector, with speakers from across the sector sharing their expertise, experiences, and perspectives on the future of Dutch maritime innovation:
- Frédéric Le Moullec – Head of International Sales at Value Maritime and Value Carbon
- Floris Groeneveld – Director at Maritiem Talent & Critical Minds
- Dominique Nieuwpoort – Project & Innovation Manager at Maritiem Talent
- Ronald de Vries – Managing Director and Co-Owner Floorganise
Moderator: Dan Veen
You can register here
Visit the SEPI software tool demo too
Come and discover the SEPI software tool, one of the results of the CirclesOfLife project for assessing the environmental footprint of shipbuilding processes. During small-group demonstrations at the booth B4.EG/209, 207 of Verband für Schiffbau und Meerestechnik e.V. (VSM) on SMM Hamburg, you will have the opportunity to see the tool in action and learn more about its practical applications.
