The Blue Shuttle project aims to accelerate the digitalisation of the blue bio-economy sectors in the Atlantic Area, via developing a Blue Innovation Network. It also aims to conduct innovation strategy to facilitate the adoption of digital solutions by the blue bio-economy sectors which would stimulate and boost blue bio-economy growth and activities efficiently and sustainably, and simultaneously provide creative, innovative and viable solutions to foster competitiveness and resilience.

This project is funded through the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) in response to the EU Cohesion Policy.

The Interreg Atlantic Area Programme is a programme that is aligned to and strongly connected to multiple EU policy initiatives, which include European Blue Growth Strategy, the European Green Deal, the Territorial Agenda 2030, and the EU Atlantic Maritime Strategy. It also contributes to the European Strategy for Data and Atlantic Action Plan 2.0. The Interreg Atlantic Area Programme covers western areas of the Atlantic Ocean which includes Ireland and Portugal, and several regions in France and Spain.

The preparation stage for this project started on 1st November in 2022. The first working package started on 1st November 2023, and, with a duration of three years, the project is planned to be completed on 31st October 2026.

Kick-off meeting: 17th and 18th January 2024 in El Puerto De Santa María Cádiz, Spain.

Blue Shuttle in the Hincks Centre's News

Keep up to date with project developments, activities and events. Below are direct links to the Blue Shuttle articles as seen in the News section of our website.

• From Cork to Cadiz - Blue Shuttle Project Kicks Off! 17 January, 2024.

Partner locations

Seven partners from across four countries form a strong team to collaborate on this project. The Lead Partner is Fundación Bahía de Cádiz para el Desarrollo Económico (CEII Bahía Cádiz) with other partners:

• Munster Technological University - Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence and the Nimbus Research Centre, Ireland;
• Innovation & Management Centre CLG T/A WestBIC, Ireland;
• Fundacion Centro Tecnologico Acuicultura Andalucia (Projects Department), Spain;
• Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique (European Affairs), France;
• UPTEC - Associação de Transferência de Tecnologia da Asprela (Departamento de Desenvolvimento de Negócios), Portugal;
• Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Portugal.

Disclaimer: This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.