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Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique once again involved in Sea Tech Week® 2026
- Sea Tech Week® 2026 opens its ticket office, with Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique (PMBA) once again joining as a partner. Through this week dedicated to marine science and technology, the relationship between the competitiveness cluster and the Campus mondial de la mer is once again taking shape, fostering further innovation and international visibility. The Campus crossed the corridor to meet its next-door neighbour. A conversation with Phil Monbet, Director of PMBA.
Sea Tech Week® 2026: technical and friendly exchanges, and a wide range of themes
When asked to describe the identity of Sea Tech Week® 2026, Philippe speaks of the blend between science and business. Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique sees itself reflected in this event and supports it, as the maritime sector is approached in its entirety. The richness of the discussions lies at the intersection of the different themes. The size of the event is also appreciated, as it allows time to build genuine collaborations.
“Sea Tech Week® is an opportunity to address highly specific topics while also exploring other thematic horizons, with cross-disciplinary subjects bringing together academics and technology providers. All within a few days, in a human-sized venue, allowing for genuine exchanges.” Phil Monbet, PMBA
An international event rooted in Brittany
Every two years in Brest (France), Sea Tech Week® 2026 attracts international stakeholders to the western tip of Brittany.
“Our collaboration with Portugal began 15 years ago. The 2026 edition will provide an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with this featured country.”
“In 2018, Norway was the featured country. It gave PMBA the opportunity to reconnect with this nation. Since then, several missions and programmes have been launched between the two countries.”
Come and meet PMBA during Sea Tech Week® 2026
Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique is involved in three workshops featured in the conference programme:
1. “Space serving the maritime sector: from regional strategies to shared best practices”
Organised by the MORESPACE Booster (led by PMBA) and the innovative company Hytech Imaging.
This workshop will highlight how space technologies are creating new opportunities within the maritime sector.
Marc Lennon, Managing Director of Hytech Imaging. Photo taken during Sea Tech Week® 2024 – © Technopôle Brest-Iroise 2. “Sustainable maritime transport: taking action”
Organised by the Atlantic Arc Commission of the CPMR and Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique.
International maritime transport is at the heart of global trade, but it must reduce its emissions. With EU and IMO targets aiming for a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, this workshop will explore, through the SMARTDEC project, innovations for the decarbonisation of ships and ports.
3. “European networks driving blue biotechnology solutions”
Organised by Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, CEEI Bahía de Cádiz and University of Vigo.
This workshop will present MARINNONET and Blue Shuttle, two Interreg Atlantic Area projects, and explain how transnational innovation networks strengthen competitiveness and sustainability in blue biotechnology. It will highlight cross-border collaboration to accelerate digitalisation, market-ready solutions and potential synergies between stakeholders, with the aim of fostering the emergence of new EU-funded projects.
“Sea Tech Week®: an excellent audience and a turnkey event to showcase the European projects in which PMBA is involved.”
Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique will also be present with a stand at the heart of the exhibition area.
Finally, PMBA is mobilising all its expertise and network in support of the three high-level plenary sessions organised by the Campus mondial de la mer:
- Renewable marine energy: powering tomorrow’s ocean
- Ports of the future: reinventing maritime gateways
- Deep-sea exploration: knowledge and responsible innovation
An added benefit for PMBA members: they benefit from a discounted registration fee for the event.
PMBA, 21 years on: the age of maturity
Internationally, it is referred to as a Sea Innovative Cluster. Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique brings together 470 members from across the maritime sector, in all its thematic diversity. Its mission? To create a favourable environment for innovation through events, information sharing and opportunities to strengthen the competitiveness of maritime companies.
Above all, PMBA supports R&D projects through a certification system, guaranteeing their robustness and reassuring both public and private funders.
After 21 years, the results are:
- 650 R&D projects
- €2 billion in investments (including €500 million in public funding)
PMBA has established itself within the maritime landscape, with a steadily growing membership base. It also plays a role in maritime governance at state level, acting as a link between the State and the regions on public policy matters (transition, naval sector, etc.).
On the international stage, PMBA exchanges every three months with the BlueTech Cluster Alliance (BTCA) and interacts with 12 other clusters across Europe and worldwide (Foro Oceano, Maritime UK South West, Plocan, Ocean Super Cluster, etc.).
Phil Monbet, Director of Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique. Photo taken during Sea Tech Week® 2024 – © Technopôle Brest-Iroise Focus on space
“The MORESPACE Booster is a kind of mini-cluster within PMBA.”
It is the only purely application-focused booster in France. Launched in 2016, MORESPACE is dedicated to space technologies and data serving the maritime sector and has supported around thirty high-TRL projects. Examples include:
- Unseenlabs, for the development of its service and constellation
- Semsoft, for the development of its Lestr platform
- CLS, for the design of a maritime surveillance platform (MAS – Maritime Awareness System project)
- And others such as EODYN and Hytech Imaging
Please note: MORESPACE works alongside ESA BIC Nord France (focused on entrepreneurial projects) and IRISPACE.
Sophie Cordillet, in charge of MORESPACE at Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique. Photo taken during Sea Tech Week® 2024 – © Technopôle Brest-Iroise A news to share?
Together with Ifremer, Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique is launching the Blue Mission AA project, one of the European Commission’s Ocean Missions, including in particular a national hub dedicated to the Atlantic and the Arctic, aimed at raising awareness and providing qualified information to the ecosystem. More information will be available in September 2026.
A final note
“And there is one slight regret: not having attended Ibrahim Maalouf’s concert during one of the Sea Tech Week® gala evenings,” Phil smiles. “The October one will take place at Océanopolis. Book your tickets!”
