Last month, a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) was signed between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the World Ocean Council.
The partnership will connect ESA with the maritime sector and will support ocean-related industry through space-based systems and data. ESA seeks to promote the application of existing space solutions to support sustainable ocean use, and to engage maritime players in ESA activities as representatives of the sector.
As part of this agreement, which focuses on cooperation with the WOC European Branch, members will be identified as potential “model users” for consultation and knowledge exchange.
ESA recently set up the Blue Worlds Task Force to increase awareness of how space assets — including space technology, systems and data — can support the blue economy and address a variety of challenges faced by the maritime sector.
“This Memorandum of Collaboration between the European Space Agency and the World Ocean Council is an excellent starting point for reinforcing the role of space in ensuring a sustainable and vibrant ocean ecosystem and economy,” said former ESA Director General Jan Wörner.