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This development was only made possible thanks to its shipyard – the Arsenale. At its peak during the 16^th century, it is believed that the Arsenale had the capacity to build around 100 galleys per year and over 16,000 workers. The Arsenale is used nowadays for large public event such as the Art Venice Biennale or the Venice Boat Show. Our community is extremely fortunate because the Arsenale will host the BlueWeek2024!

Nowadays the city faces tough challenges due to its geographical location and vulnerability to rising sea levels. Concerns over climate change raised awareness and a sense of urgency from its inhabitants, and in line with this, Venice is at the forefront of sustainable development. Key issues being addressed include protecting the Lagoon to preserve its fragile ecosystem, sustainable mobility, renewable energy production and local storage and sustainable tourism.
The city and the lagoon also have a large water transport network, with more than 180 ships transporting goods and passengers.
All in all, the iconic city of Venezia will be a perfect and inspiring location to present and discuss sustainable developments and innovation. We are very thankful to ACTV (Venetian Public Transportation company) and VELA for hosting our special event at the Arsenale.

If you would like to participate, please check www.blueforum.org for the registration and programme details. If you want to contribute to the event by presenting your projects, research or innovations, please submit your abstract before October 1. Questions? Get in contact with us at blueweek@marin.nl.

Call for contribution & Registration

Renowned Venetian Lagoon

With the 2023 edition in our wake, the Blue Forum is now heading towards a new destination. For its 12^th edition, the Blue Forum community will drop anchor at the renowned Venetian Lagoon.

There are many good reasons why this unique location was selected.

Of course, Venice has a rich maritime heritage that is deeply intertwined with its history, culture and identity. As a city built on a lagoon, Venice was a powerful maritime republic which had control over key trade routes. The Republic also produced famous navigators and explorers, such as Marco Polo, who ventured into uncharted territories and expanded their knowledge of the world.

BlueWeek 2023 was hosted at the headquarters of the Balearic Islands Port Authority in Palma, Spain

During the last edition, European and Joint Industry project meetings were combined with technical and strategy presentations on sustainable maritime developments. Additionally, workshops with local and international participants were held to discuss the further uptake of wind propulsion for merchant vessels under the chair of the OPTIWISE EU project, and the second examined possible pathways to transform the leisure and fishing fleet of Balearic Islands into a zero-emissions fleet.

There was also a chance to visit two interesting sites in Mallorca - the solar-powered hydrogen production plant in Rosetta and the loft of North Sails. Presentations of BlueWeek 2023 are now available on the portal www.blueforum.org. The upcoming edition will hold a similar week structure, with dedicated workshops and site visits of sustainable activities and projects in the region.

The 11^th  edition of the BlueWeek, hosted at the headquarters of the Balearic Islands Port Authority in Palma, Spain, was a great success. For the 2024 edition the Blue Forum will be heading to Venice and will be hosted by Vela and the Public Transport company ACTV.