Seafuture a model for naval industrial excellence and competitiveness, sustainability and innovation

The international event, unique in the Mediterranean Basin because implemented inside a Navy Base, deals with both military and dual-use technologies, products and services; it is organized in collaboration with the Navy, with the support of AIAD, and many other Ministries and Institutions.
Maritime technologies, defense, security, Underwater Defense Technologies, transports and logistics, refitting and sustainability: these are the keywords that characterize the 2021 edition of Seafuture, the international exhibition on innovations in the maritime-naval civil and military fields.
The ASD (Aerospace and Defense industries Association of Europe) Report 2019 states that the persisting economical and political uncertainty, aerospace and defense industry keep growing with a positive trend; + 8% of sales, with an income of 246 billions euro (data 2018 compared to 228,5 in 2017) and an increased labor force up to 870.000units. We should add that this sector still leads to global innovation and create high-level competences.
In a context where the added value of this sector steadily growth, Seafuture confirms itself the main event in Italy for this kind of industries, thanks to the participation of National and International actors, such as the Navy, International Navies and Police forces, major global players of the maritime and defense industry, SMEs, Universities and Research centers, innovative startups and technological clusters.
2021 edition focused on the underwater marine technologies used in both military and civilian settings. In particular, the objective of the UDT will be focused onto present the industrial structures, university programs and the excellence in the underwater sector. Studies, new technologies and new generation materials related to Under Water applications on manned/unmanned and tethered aircrafts will be presented.
During these four days, the exhibition was accompanied by meetings, conferences, technical seminars and business conversations. Particular attention was paid to universities and academia: indeed, the Seafuture Awards will return and will again reward the most innovative master’s or specialization these which have as their object products or processes on maritime technologies.
The innovation of this year “Call for Papers” will provide the opportunity for companies, researchers and managers to propose to an international and qualified audience their contribution regarding the themes of the event.
 

A strong impulse by the WestMED Initiative during 2020-2021, in combination with an active involvement by the Italian co-presidency (shared in 2021 with Libya), has now led to a center stage
position at Italy’s most important international Blue Economy event: SEAFUTURE.
The priorities pursued by the Initiative involving the 5 + 5 Dialogue countries (Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Mauritania, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia) have favored the creation of cross-border technical working groups in the field of Sustainable Maritime Transport, Maritime Clusters, Aquaculture, Sustainable Tourism.
On 28 September, 2021, the National Technological Cluster – CTN BIG (Blue Italian Growth) and the WestMED Assistance Mechanism, with the participation of the European Commission DG MARE and Union for the Mediterranean, already held a workshop dedicated to the WestMED Maritime Clusters Alliance, to further develop projects and actions undertaken, and further expand the mostly nationally organised cluster community to regional, sectoral and intersectoral clusters in the Mediterranean.
The event was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two national maritime clusters of Italy, CTN BIG and Federazione del Mare, strongly fostered and supported by the WestMED Assistance Mechanism, through the National Coordinator and the National Hub.
On September 30th, the Connecting EU day, was dedicated to ports and intermodal logistics Organised by Circle Spa, it will address many of the issues that have so far involved the same stakeholders in the WestMED Technical Group on Green Shipping.
Finally, on 1 October, SEAFUTURE, EIEAD and the WestMED Assistance Mechanism will dedicate a workshop to the Sustainable Blue Economy of Libya. This, in order to accelerate the inclusion of the community of operators of the North African country, given the dynamics of development and interaction at the Mediterranean level, after the well-known civil war events.
This is a moment of EU attention and cooperation, and of Italy in particular, towards a country that will increasingly look to its European partners, for assistance and support in the growth path for the next few years. The 2021 edition of SEAFUTURE, which will welcome over 60 delegations from five continents, is therefore the ideal venue to bring the centrality of the Mediterranean to the attention of all the players involved in the sustainable Blue Economy.
 

Within the framework of SEAFUTURE 2021, the WestMED Initiative, with its Maritime Clusters Alliance held an open event on September 28, focusing on funding opportunities for clusters in the new programming period.
The event ended with the signing of MoUs between two Italian national clusters, and between CTN BIG from Italy and Strategies Cluster from Greece. This took place on board the historical school sail ship Amerigo Vespucci of the Italian navy.
 

The 7th edition of Seafuture, the business convention of maritime and dual-use technologies – unique in the Mediterranean basin because it was built inside a naval base of the Navy – ended on October 1st, in the presence of the Undersecretary of State for Defense Senator Stefania Pucciarelli and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy Team Admiral Aurelio De Carolis.
In an exhibition area of 12.500 square meters, the excellence of the Blue Economy gathered for the event, with over 235 participating companies of which 20% exhibitors from all over the world, over 70 delegations from 5 continents for 2600 pre-organized B2B and B2G.
Key points were the interesting panels distributed simultaneously in two classrooms. From the challenges and opportunities in the Mediterranean and the perspective of the Italian Navy to the management of a marine ecosystem for blue growth and cyber resilience.
In the event frame, several ships were moored, including the training ship Amerigo Vespucci and the frigate Rizzo, used for the occasion as an alternative venue for events and moments of meeting between international partners and bilateral meetings, the latter being an element of high international connotation.
Among the events that identify the value of the week in La Spezia, there is the Sea Future Awards 2021, an award for graduates, Ph.Ds. students, and PhDs from the Italian academic world, both civil and military, who have presented these related to the development of processes and products in the field of marine technologies.
Last but not least, the exclusive Navy Project “Tender to Nave Italia” –which takes its name from the homonymous brig armed with a schooner – was presented during the last day. The educational project carried out on board follows a proven method over time: adventure therapy. Nave Italia thus becomes the primary tool for creating rehabilitation programs aimed at notable young sailors with cognitive disabilities, sensory deficits, genetic diseases, mental and social discomfort in the various forms in which it manifests itself.
In thanking all the co-organizers, primarily the Navy, the sponsoring bodies, the sponsoring companies and the participants, the hope is to meet us at the eighth edition of Seafuture in 2023.
 

The current edition of Seafuture (the 7th ed.) Is proving to be a real success; can you anticipate some numbers?

The numbers of Seafuture 2021 are all growing. The total of visitors has increased by 40% participating companies reached 230 (of which 20% international) on an exhibition area of 12,500. In addition, the sector operators took part in 2,600 pre-organized b2b and b2g events in which
they had the opportunity to find solutions to their questions. We are sincerely satisfied that this showcase has offered even more contacts to companies, and this gives us hope for the future employment of the marine sector, which remains the driving force in our country and our city.

There have been disputes against the current edition, would you like to explain to our readers what are the real advantages that the event brings to the state coffers?

During the seven editions of Seafuture, my intention has always been to affirm the central role of Italy in Mediterranean policies and guarantee the development of our country by building a biennial showcase for companies and potential buyers to meet. For our territory, it means a boost for our companies in the marine maritime sector and immediate repercussions for everything related to conference tourism. First of all, events such as Seafuture provide us with the possibility of expanding our tourist offer, seasonally adjusting the arrival and departure flows, currently concentrated mainly during the summer months, to grow sectors related to conventions, (from communication to catering, from setting up to press, from logistics to hospitality) and to focus on a MORE sustainable offer, without forgetting the full house in hotels, restaurants and museums. Having said that, I have one more thing to add: I have always thought that Defense does not mean war but protection, safeguarding, and respect for our sea, our coasts, our economy.

The presence of many authorities and representatives of foreign navies have consecrated SeaFuture as an undisputed international level event; tell us the truth are you already thinking about the next edition?

Now I would like to have time to rest for a few days. There are two years between us and the next edition and much work to do. However, it is undoubtedly true that the requests and satisfaction of the many exhibitors and the applause of the authorities and foreign navies encourage us to commit ourselves more and more to make the event grow and stabilize. Clearly, the work that awaits us will have to put the energies and strengths of all of us into a system, starting from the organization, from the partners of recent years, from local, regional, and central institutions. Only great teamwork will allow us to bring Italy first, Liguria and La Spezia, to the center of the Mediterranean.

Seafuture represents a perfect combination between companies in the sector, the armed forces and beyond; is it a growth point also for our city which has always operated in symbiosis with the Navy?

Given the impeccable organization, how long does it take to consolidate such an event? Also, given the global pandemic crisis what were the difficulties you have encountered?

First of all, I am satisfied that we have managed to fulfil Seafuture with these results coming from a devastating pandemic. My first thought, as I said in the opening of Seafuture, goes to the victims of Covid-19, their families and all those who, also indirectly, have suffered in these terrible years.
The organization of an event of this type is a machine that must be balanced in all its elements, where a willing and prepared team knows how to act and responds to the needs but also and more importantly to the organizational emergencies that, with so many guests from different countries, are really on the agenda.
The presence of the Minister of Defense Lorenzo Guerini at the inaugural ceremony, of President Toti, of Undersecretaries Mulè and Pucciarelli, of Alessandro Morelli, Deputy Minister of Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility, that of the Minister for Economic Development Giorgetti, at the awards ceremony, as well as of many other relevant offices of the State during the days of the convention, constitute the best testimony of the national and international level reached.

Do Draghi's words on European investments meet Seafuture's philosophy?

President Draghi’s words are those of who has a vision of the future of our country and the future of Europe, are words of who manages to trace a path on these premises. Without misunderstandings, these are the words of a leader who intends to give the word 'Defense' the meaning of protection and guarantee of our freedoms and of our country, combining the objectives in terms of security with prevention, the protection of human rights, respect for rule of law. I believe that these are the matters a good premier should worry about.

Mrs. Cristiana Pagni, Thank You Very Much