Association of Estonian Marine Industries & MarTe Project Vision Seminar 2025

(Please note: the seminar will be conducted in Estonian.)

"On the Horizon: MarTe” brings together leading experts, innovators, and stakeholders in Estonia’s maritime and blue economy sectors. As part of the Association of Estonian Marine Industries’ annual vision seminar tradition, the event will help set the direction for MarTe’s next three years of activities. 

At the heart of the seminar lies a central question: 
What are the key challenges of the blue economy sub-sectors, how can marine technology help overcome them, and what could be Estonia’s – or the Baltic region’s – signature contribution to the global innovation ecosystem? 

Together, we will discuss which technologies are most meaningful to develop, test, and implement in the region. 

SEMINAR FOCUS

• Defining blue economy challenges arising from national development strategies and the need to protect marine ecosystems. 

• Identifying long-term specialisation priorities for Estonia and the Baltic region in marine technology innovation. 

• Setting the direction for the next three years of the MarTe project and preparing for the MarTe Open Call for Blue Innovation 2027. 

SPEAKERS AND MODERATORS

Contributions will come from Estonia’s leading maritime and infrastructure experts from TalTech and the University of Tartu, including: Mihkel Kõrgesaar, Kristjan Tabri, Jonne Kotta, Andro Ots, Ülo Eero, Andri Laidre, and Ilja Maljutenko. Moderated by Mihkel Laan and Tiina-Maria Araja. 

Why participate? 

By joining the seminar, you will be part of shaping the future of marine technology in Estonia and the wider Baltic region, contributing directly to the foundation of innovation strategy, policy recommendations, and funding priorities for the years ahead. 

PROGRAMME AND REGISTRATION (in Estonian): https://marineindustry.ee/ee/18-visiooniseminar-juhib-pilgud-horisondile-marte-projekt-30-31-oktoobril-parnus/ 

For organisational questions, please contact: 

Maria Kallaste 
MarTe Project Specialist 
Saaremaa Development Centre (Saare Arenduskeskus SA) 
maria@sasak.ee 
 

PROGRAMME

Day I – 30 October 

10:00 – Welcome and Introduction – Anni Hartikainen 
Overview of the event and the MarTe project: focus, scope, and the logic of building the strategy. What does sustainable mean in our context? Why are we doing this project and what outputs will it produce? 

10:15 – Marine Technology Trends – Prof Mihkel Kõrgesaar, TalTech 

11:00 – Panel: “The Time I Tried to Test Something at Sea” 
Participants: Prof Jonne Kotta (UT Estonian Marine Institute, Aquaverde), Andro Ots (Ösel Aquafarms), Ülo Eero, Andri Laidre (FlyDog), Ilja Maljutenko 
Moderator: Tiina-Maria Araja 

12:00 – Lunch 

13:00 – FRAME Concept and Introduction to Joint Work – Tiina-Maria Araja 

13:30 – Group Work 1: Blue Economy Challenges and Innovation Needs 

14:30 – Break 

14:45 – Who is Doing What and Where? Marine Technology at Universities – Prof Kristjan Tabri, TalTech 

15:30 – Group Work 2: Vision for 2035 and Specialisation Focus 

18:00 – Dinner 

Day II – 31 October 

09:00 – Summary of Previous Day’s Group Work – Mihkel Laan, Cumulus 

09:30 – Group Work 3: Opportunities for Developing Estonian Marine Technology 
Based on the foci identified on the previous day – what needs to be done to bring them to life. 

10:30 – Break 

10:45 – Conclusions: Estonia’s Advantages and the Role of Marine Technology in the Blue Economy 

11:00 – For Blue Innovation 2027 Presentation – Anni Raie, KIK 

11:50 – Closing Words – Anni Hartikainen 

12:00 – Lunch and End of Seminar