Elias Yfantis to coordinate update of the Strategic Research Agenda of the Waterborne Technology Platform
The missions and visions 2030 and 2050 of the Waterborne Technology Platform will be updated, in alignment with the political priorities of the new European Commission. To coordinate this process, Elias Yfantis, has been appointed rapporteur by the Board of the Association
The Waterborne Technology Platform (TP) is the European research and innovation platform for the waterborne industries, providing policy guidance to the European institutions regarding research, development and innovation, as well as the deployment of these innovations. Furthermore, the Waterborne TP coordinates the private side of the Partnership on Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) with the European Commission. Currently representing 128 members from 19 European Member States and four other European Countries, the Waterborne TP has a significant footprint in the European Union.
In January 2019, the Waterborne TP published its Strategic Research Agenda, outlining the scenario 2050 for the sector, followed by the missions and visions for each of the working groups. These working groups are the following: ships & shipping, ports & logistics, and blue growth. The missions and visions include objectives towards 2030 and 2050, which have then been translated into strategic research and innovation agendas, outlining the technology roadmaps to achieve the objectives.
Following the approval of the long-term strategy of the Waterborne TP by its members, as well as the publication of the Political Guidelines for the new European Commission and the mission letters for the Commissioners-Designate, the Waterborne TP has started updating its Strategic Research Agenda. This process will consist of extensive consultations of the members of the Waterborne TP, as well as the broader group of public and private stakeholders. Recently, Elias Yfantis, Director of Research Excellence Assurance at Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, has been appointed by the Association’s Board as rapporteur to coordinate the update of the Strategic Research Agenda.
“It is an honour to coordinate the update of the Strategic Research Agenda, which will shape the future research, development, and innovation priorities of the Waterborne Technology Platform. While the current agenda remains largely valid, its timelines require revision. Additionally, emerging needs within the waterborne transport sector may need to be incorporated. This process also provides an opportunity to align the research areas identified in the 2019 Strategic Research Agenda more closely with the industrial base of the Waterborne Technology Platform. By doing so, we will be better positioned to define the missions and visions that will drive sustainable competitiveness in the European waterborne sector through RD&I”, Mr. Yfantis said.
Eero Lehtovaara, Chair of the Board of Directors, Waterborne TP, added: “The Waterborne TP strongly believes in a coordinated approach towards research, development and innovation priorities of the waterborne sector. Thereby, the broad involvement of stakeholders is key. As a starting point, the team working on the update of the Strategic Research Agenda will consult the members of the Association in different ways, followed by an outreach to all relevant public and private stakeholders. Buy in to the Strategic Research Agenda by the broader sector will be key,” Mr. Lehtovaara concluded.
WATERBORNE TP has been set up as an industry-oriented Technology Platform to establish a continuous dialogue between all waterborne stakeholders, such as classification societies, shipbuilders, shipowners, maritime equipment manufacturers, infrastructure and service providers, universities or research institutes, and with the EU Institutions, including Member States (www.waterborne.eu). The members of Waterborne TP comprise members as well as associated members from both maritime and inland navigation countries, representing about 19 Member States. In addition, the Associations member of the Waterborne Technology Platform represent the broader waterborne sector throughout the entire EU.
