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The Port of Rijeka is one of Europe's historically most important seaports and trade centers, with the first records dating back to the 13th century. Over time, it has developed into an important urban and industrial center, and recently, it has also become the heart of advanced research and innovation.
Croatia's beautiful coast and the Adriatic sea are the most valuable resources for nautical tourism. Therefore, the latest initiatives in the industry prioritize sustainable development goals, particularly in the shipbuilding sector. That is why one of the latest European research and innovation centers has found its home in Rijeka.
Innovation Leaders Gathering in Rijeka
The MARINN - Maritime Innovation Cluster is the latest R&D center established by renowned organizations: Lürssen Design Center Kvarner, a Croatian subsidiary of Lürssen Group, one of the world's leading builders of custom luxury superyachts, Maritime Center of Excellence, an entrepreneurship organization, and the University of Rijeka. The members of the Cluster are innovation-driven industry leaders. BrightDock has joined as a software development partner, whereas GITONE Kvarner and Adriatic Croatia International Club (ACI) have formed a joint venture for one of the Cluster's most notable projects to date - the next-gen marina in Rijeka.
The Cluster establishes collaboration between the scientific community, SMEs, and investors to build an entirely new ecosystem in business development. By initiating breakthrough R&D projects, it enables its members to develop new digital solutions in a more efficient and less risky environment. Furthermore, by bringing together exceptional know-how ranging from research and engineering to digital strategy and development, the organization is set to become a global center for innovation in the maritime industry.
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Building the First Green Marina on the Adriatic
MARINN projects focus on developing intelligent ships, marinas, and port facilities. One of the biggest ventures is ACI Marina Rijeka, through which the current Porto Baroš marina will become the first green and digital marina on the Adriatic. This will be the most significant investment in nautical tourism in Croatia and a big step forward in transforming Rijeka into a luxury sailing and yachting destination with the 5 Gold Anchors classification.
The new marina will become the focal point of developing state-of-the-art technologies for an entirely sustainable, digitalized, and self-sufficient marina concept. It will rely primarily on renewable energy sources in the shape of solar panels and specialized tech solutions for waste-to-energy conversion. It will also provide charging stations for electric and hydrogen-powered vessels, with the ultimate goal of providing a reliable CO2-free infrastructure for all users.
By utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, digital twins in the context of 3D rendering, and AI-powered autonomous navigation systems, the marina will employ the highest security and safety standards and provide impeccable service quality.
Aside from building the next-gen marina, the Cluster is also pursuing several other projects to address key issues within the shipbuilding value chain. Initiatives include the development of sustainable powertrain technologies to reduce well-to-wake carbon footprint, autonomous ships to improve safety and efficiency, and various digital solutions for intelligent ships and smart ports.
Sounds exciting?
MARINN strongly encourages cross-sectoral networking and internationalization as key catalysts of innovation. The Cluster is open to all potential collaborators, partners, investors, and tech enthusiasts. Explore the work of one of Croatia's biggest innovation centers and find opportunities to join this exciting initiative here!
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