There are many types of disruptive technologies that can be used to re-imagine production and operational systems. These can include additive manufacturing (3D printing), robotics, process automation, SCADA systems, autonomous transport, as well as leveraging advanced materials and processes. These can then be combined to leverage advances in biotech, nanotech, genomics, energy technologies, and construction systems.

Many of these technologies can be used to help us reimagine BlueTech. 3D-printed elements are starting to get used for regenerating coral reefs. 3D printing can also be used for low-cost housing of sensors (e.g. the 3D-PAWS systems) or to make custom parts for Blue-economy related machinery.

A new range of earth observation and sensors are allowing creation of “digital twins” of key coastal and ocean infrastructure to facilitate implementation and operations. There are a range of drones – aerial, on water, underwater, and on the seabed – that can be used individually or in “swarms” to improve collection of data ranging from water quality to fish stock assessments. These have also been adapted to collect trash on beaches and waters.

There are evolving attempts to bring the new “driverless car” concepts to the water with autonomous ships. There are also several aspects of technology that can help revolutionize maritime transport to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, better integrate drones for transport, and improve ship design, materials, and propulsion systems.

These technologies have also help re-imagine a range of oceanic sectors – from process improvements in fish and fish feed processing and alternative energy (e.g. offshore wind, tidal, floating solar) to ocean pharma and floating and underwater infrastructure.

• With technology and innovation, the operations within the various sectors of the blue economy can be transformed in a sustainable and more efficient manner, for instance in the shipping sector.
• Hybrid ship propulsion to reduce emissions,

• Ballast water treatment systems to remove invasive marine species.
• New materials and methods to reduce friction from ship hauls,
• Emissions control of ships, autonomous ships

Autonomous Ships-Electricity Powered Cargo Ships

Autonomous Vessels

• Drones and acoustic technology are providing an effective new tool for marine mammal research and conservation , these technologies are being used to detect and avoid whales
• Use of acoustic technology and drones to detect and avoid whales and monitor the impact of shipping noise on whales in North America

• Sustainable anti-fouling technology, to curbing the killing of marine life that adhere to ships, research is being carried out to develop alternate and sustainable materials, that prevent marine life from being able to adhere to ships.

• Use of machine learning in combination with historical data, statistical algorithms to prevent port congestion, delays, and other operational inefficiencies as the port.
• Use of historical data of vessel geolocation to drive the innovation of products.
• Use of digital twins to simulate and test scenarios of ports and vessels, to produce valuable insights from data

Within the oceanic sectors use of new materials for next generation rotor blades for tidal turbines, use of data analytics for predictive maintenance and offshore maintenance drones for energy equipment, integration of energy storage systems, introduction of systems to increase the efficiency in turbine installation, use of virtual and augmented reality for spatial planning, technology to reduce underwater acoustics in marine construction, use of ocean internet of thing sensors.

For fisheries and aquaculture: technology can develop new ways to help manage sustainably within this sector as populations grow and consumption increases,

• Using underwater autonomous vehicles for monitoring fish stock,
• Use of acoustics and satellites for tracking wild fishery,
• Sensors for aquaculture, alternative feed, and system design for farms.

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