Latvian Partners of the Project “MarTe: Marine technology excellence hub for sustainable blue economy in Baltics” Meet in Ventspils

September 16, 2025

On Friday, September 12, the Latvian partners of the project “MarTe: Marine technology excellence hub for sustainable blue economy in Baltics” gathered in Ventspils. Representatives from the Ventspils Freeport Authority, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Latvia, the Kurzeme Planning Region, the Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, the association “Baltic Coasts”, and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences met to learn more about the local business environment and discuss opportunities for cooperation in promoting the blue economy. 


As part of the visit, the partners toured the Ventspils Freeport Authority to learn about the port’s operational areas and future development directions. They also visited the Freeport’s industrial clients, including SIA “Bio-Venta”, the largest biodiesel production and transshipment complex in the Baltic States, where partners were introduced to the company’s production processes and end products — biodiesel, rapeseed oil, rapeseed meal for animal feed, and glycerine. 


In addition, the partners visited the manufacturing company SIA “Aspired”, a CNC service provider, and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences to explore production capabilities and potential cooperation in human resource development. 


The MarTe project is focused on addressing environmental changes and fostering regional economic development. Within the project, a cross-border Centre of Excellence will be established to promote innovation, strengthen the marine value chain, and encourage the adoption of new technologies. The project’s objectives include joint research and development (R&D) activities to support the sustainable use of marine resources, strengthen ecosystems, and drive policy impact. 


Through quadruple-helix collaboration (linking academia, business, government, and civil society), MarTe aims to advance marine and maritime technologies, enhance stakeholder cooperation, build ecosystem capacity, bridge knowledge gaps, support SMEs and startups, and increase the visibility of blue economy innovation ecosystems in Estonia and Latvia. The project’s strategic framework focuses on coastal energy, smart ports, and marine ecosystem protection, in line with the EU Green Deal and regional Smart Specialisation Strategies. 


The goal of the project “MarTe: Marine technology excellence hub for sustainable blue economy in Baltics” is to develop practical solutions and policy recommendations to advance the blue economy — the sustainable use of marine and ocean resources — in Estonia and Latvia. A total of 13 organisations are involved in the project, with an emphasis on innovation in marine technologies, particularly in renewable energy, smart port development, and marine environmental protection, thereby strengthening cooperation between science, industry, public administration, and non-governmental organisations. 


This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, under the “Excellence Hubs” subprogramme (HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-07-01). 


The project’s lead partner is the Estonian Environmental Investment Centre (Sihtasutus Keskkonnainvesteeringute Keskus). 


The total project budget is €4,999,822.50, of which €367 850,00 is budget of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. The project will run until 31 December 2028. 

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