The INNO2MARE project was proudly represented at the 2nd Industrial Forum IRT ADRIA 2026, held in Zadar, Croatia, on 14-15 September 2026. The event brought together leading experts from industry, academia, and research organizations to discuss the latest developments in digitalization, automation, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable industrial innovation.
During the forum, Dr. Marko Šimic from the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, presented the paper "Advancing Maritime Innovation through Digitalisation, Sustainability, and Autonomy: INNO2MARE Scale Up of Pilot Projects from Lab to Market", co-authored by partners from the INNO2MARE consortium.
The presentation highlighted how INNO2MARE is helping bridge the gap between research and real-world implementation by supporting the transition of innovative maritime technologies from laboratory validation to commercial deployment. The project addresses one of the key challenges in the maritime sector: transforming promising pilot solutions into scalable, market-ready innovations that contribute to the green and digital transition of maritime regions.
A central focus of the presentation was the INNO2MARE Scale-Up Framework, a structured methodology developed to guide innovative technologies from early-stage development to operational deployment. The framework combines Technology Readiness Level (TRL) assessment, technical and commercial feasibility analysis, deployment planning, and scalability roadmaps to support successful market uptake.
Three INNO2MARE pilot projects were presented as examples of this approach:
- A Virtual Reality (VR) maritime fire evacuation training system, enhancing safety training through immersive simulations.
- An AI-powered Digital Twin for sustainable and efficient energy management, supporting industrial and maritime energy optimization.
- AI-supported autonomous shipping technologies, focusing on trajectory prediction, anomaly detection, sea-state estimation, and intelligent vessel operations.
The presentation emphasized that successful scale-up requires more than technological excellence. Stakeholder engagement, interoperability, regulatory compliance, realistic TRL assessment, sustainable business models, and strong collaboration between research and industry are equally important for moving innovations from pilot testing to large-scale adoption.
Participation in IRT ADRIA 2026 provided an excellent opportunity to showcase INNO2MARE achievements, exchange knowledge with experts from across the Adriatic region, and strengthen connections with industrial stakeholders interested in digital and sustainable maritime solutions. The event also reinforced the project's commitment to fostering innovation ecosystems that support the future of autonomous, green, and smart maritime operations.
Through initiatives such as these, INNO2MARE continues to contribute to the development of a more competitive, sustainable, and technologically advanced maritime sector in Europe.
