One year of INESCTEC.OCEAN | Centre of Excellence in Ocean Research & Engineering
One year of harnessing the potential of the Portuguese sea.
January 28, 2025: The INESCTEC.OCEAN Kick-off Meeting officially brought together INESC TEC, SINTEF, Fórum Oceano, and APDL to change the landscape of European innovation for the sea.
Throughout the first year of the Centre of Excellence in Ocean Research & Engineering, INESCTEC.OCEAN has driven knowledge transfer, innovative solutions, and technological advancements within a collaborative and multidisciplinary ecosystem.
Whether on shore or deep at sea, in INESC TEC’s labs or aboard the Mar Profundo research vessel, our Centre of Excellence is writing the future chapters of a sustainable, global Blue Economy.
We are INESCTEC.OCEAN — Where the land meets the sea.
EVA AUV tests in the Malaposta open-pit mine | MINE.IO Project
Less risk, more efficiency: how is underwater robotics helping in the exploration of flooded mines? In Malaposta, Portugal, the MINE.IO project has conducted an experiment with the Muon telescope technology and its robotic deployment process in an open-pit mine. With the help of INESC TEC’s EVA AUV, it was possible to deploy and retrieve the device autonomously, which had been collecting data about rock densities in the site.
Carlos Almeida and Paula Lima, INESC TEC researchers involved in the project, explain how these tests help develop and validate advanced autonomy and data integration features for underwater vehicles exploring flooded mines. “The Muon telescope needs to know specifically where it was deployed and its orientation. With our precise navigation of EVA, it’s possible to know exactly where it is positioned and recover it”, says Carlos Almeida.
The same technologies and processes will now be further tested at the Urgeiriça mine, near Viseu. All the results shall contribute to MINE.IO’s goals regarding the digital transformation of mining operations, ensuring worker’s safety while enabling continuous, autonomous activity.
The Holistic Digital Mine 4.0 Ecosystem is a European project focused on industrialisation, informatisation and sustainable development of the mining sector. MINE.IO has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101091885. INESC TEC led the demonstration in the Malaposta site, involving project partners MUON Solutions and WRCP.
Diana Viegas, women’s leadership, and girls in science | International Women’s Day
What is the importance of women in leadership roles in the R&D+I ecosystem? If we look at the statistics, around 35% of global STEM graduates are women, which roughly translates to the same proportion at the workplace: 1 in 3 researchers in these fields is a woman. But when it comes to women in managerial positions in STEM fields, the number drops to 24% — 12% if we aim at higher, executive roles. Why do these records matter, though?
From a very young age, Diana Viegas already knew she wanted to pursue a career in science. A bachelor’s degree, master’s, and PhD in Applied Physics later, the researcher ended up at INESC TEC. From Optics to Underwater Robotics, Diana Viegas’ path at the Institute did not go unnoticed: she is now the Coordinator of INESCTEC.OCEAN. Leading the first Centre of Excellence in Ocean Research & Engineering in Portugal is not only a great responsibility, but an inspiring example of how young girls and women can aspire to pursue careers in STEM research.
Through education and equal, fair opportunities, the gender gap can be narrowed and R&D+I may welcome even more brilliant minds to drive meaningful transformation in the world.
Satistics sources: UNESCO and World Economic Forum.
INESCTEC.OCEAN steamed a ‘blue revolution’ at the Matosinhos Business2Sea
From aquaculture to digital twins, INESCTEC.OCEAN stirred blue solutions at the 2025 Business2Sea event. Among presentations, panel discussions, and parallel sessions, the Centre of Excellence in Ocean Research & Engineering did not go unnoticed during the two-day event.
The 13th edition of Business2Sea took place on November 24 and 25 at the Porto Cruise Terminal. The event was organised by Fórum Oceano, with the support of APDL and Câmara Municipal de Matosinhos.
A lot of ‘post-its’ for tons of ideas: a closer look at INESCTEC.OCEAN’s Workshop on Governance
For two days, participants from INESC TEC, SINTEF, APDL, and Fórum Oceano discussed future scenarios for our Centre of Excellence’s autonomy model.
An exercise not only important for INESCTEC.OCEAN’s establishment at the forefront of ocean research, but also for promoting tighter cooperation among consortium members, fostering a true sense of a collaborative Blue Economy.
Hub Azul Leixões ocean basin progresses at a fast pace
The latest update on what will be one of the largest tanks for marine technology testing in Europe: the Hub Azul Leixões ocean basin.
This new infrastructure aims for a total Blue Economy transformation, under decarbonisation, innovation, and digitalisation goals. The Hub Azul Leixões is led by INESC TEC, in collaboration with APDL, CIIMAR, Câmara Municipal de Matosinhos, Fórum Oceano, and INEGI.
International Day of the Deep Seabed
The new frontier of knowledge, technology and innovation. Yet, it remains largely unknown. Our blue planet’s sustainable future goes far beyond the surface, reaching all the way to the deep sea. INESCTEC.OCEAN’s message is clear: the world’s Blue Economy, Earth’s preservation, and wellbeing all begin at the bottom of the ocean.
November 1 marks the first International Day of the Deep Seabed, as established by the International Seabed Authority. The date is inteded to celebrate the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1994 Implementation Agreement, which ensure the equitable management and protection of marine resources for present and future generations.