Innovation, knowledge of the maritime environment, and a sense of collectivity

Nathalie succeeded Frédéric Moncany de Saint-Aignan as the president of the CMF. Nathalie’s experience is built on more than 20 years of career at Naval Group, a flagship of the French and Breton naval industry. What drives her? The development of innovation projects with varying degrees of maturity, the gathering of academic and industrial stakeholders, and the construction of R&D systems (Technological Research Institutes, clusters, etc.).

"It is through collectivity that we create market shares and contribute to the competitiveness of companies internationally."

Nathalie is focused on decarbonizing maritime transport and is part of the MEET 2050 initiative led by the CMF in partnership with ADEME. With strong expertise in financial and institutional mechanics, as well as a thorough knowledge of civil and military matters, she transitioned from being the director of economic development at Naval Group to the president of the CMF.

"Joining the CMF was also an opportunity to pool my knowledge beyond the shipbuilding sector."

The major projects of the CMF: transitions, youth, and financing

It's worth recalling the key figure of 90%. Indeed, 90% of what we consume has been transported by sea (72% through French import-export flows). The organization of all activities around maritime transport is therefore essential: ports, energy, fishing and aquaculture, boating and yachting, underwater connections, deep-sea exploration, cybersecurity, etc.

"This represents 150 billion euros in value and over 1 million jobs in France."

The CMF’s roadmap focuses on three major areas:

• Transitions, with the key project being the safety of offshore wind farms. "The French maritime sector must tackle transitions while remaining competitive."

• Raising youth awareness of the variety of maritime professions, on land or at sea, with or without a diploma. Acculturation can start as early as middle school. In high school, Parcours Sup can also serve as a trigger for vocations. "We need to make them dream with both well-known and lesser-known jobs." Nathalie highlights great initiatives in Brittany, such as the Campus of Maritime Industries and Qualifications.

• Financing, particularly private funds that need to understand societal changes better to support related projects. "When you are heard by the banking and insurance markets, you can get projects financed."

Brittany, an extremely dynamic region

"The ecosystem is dense and conducive to the creation of products and services: key institutions and companies, academics (e.g., UBO) and prestigious schools (e.g., French Naval Academy), technical high schools (e.g., fishing), research centers (e.g., Ifremer), Technological Research Institutes (e.g., B-Com), and competitiveness clusters (e.g., Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique), etc. Added to this is a constellation of SMEs and startups, as well as structures and third spaces to support them. I also think of the skippers who support R&D, and of course, the port infrastructures, insurers, etc."

Many of these entities are members of the CMF.

When the CMF’s momentum aligns with that of the Campus Mondial de la Mer

The CMF is a signatory of the Campus’ values charter and supports the organization of Sea Tech Week® through its extensive network. The theme of the 2024 edition, maritime security and safety, is a fundamental issue for the CMF. There are two main reasons:

• Sovereignty, an "open sovereignty," as Nathalie explains, so that French ships are safe in every port worldwide. "In Brest, the MICA Centre is an incredible tool, the cornerstone of maritime transport." Another area of focus: offshore wind, on which the CMF is currently working.
  Noteworthy: Pierre Léonidas, head of institutional affairs at the CMF, will speak at the high-level session on maritime safety during Sea Tech Week®.

• The environment, "so that the maritime economy enters a reasonable and reasoned era." The CMF leads a working group called "synergy" focused on sustainable development and marine biodiversity protection. The group’s deliverables will guide decisions made in regulatory committees on issues such as ship speeds, marine plastics, and the management of sargassum in overseas regions.

Upcoming key event for the CMF

After Sea Tech Week®, another major maritime event is the Assises de l’économie de la mer. Nathalie invites you to join her on November 19 and 20, 2024, in Bordeaux (France).