Ocean Tech Hub Education & Resources
Blue Economy and Ocean Technology FAQs
The Ocean Tech Hub Consortium is led by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and includes leaders from academia, industry, government, labor and community organizations from both Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. Members include Brown University, Rhode Island College, Community College of Rhode Island, University of Rhode Island, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, Rhode Island AFL-CIO, Massachusetts AFL-CIO, RIHub, 401 Tech Bridge, SeaAhead, Jaia Robotics, IBM, Infused Innovations, Brito Associates, MassRobotics, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, New Bedford Ocean Cluster, Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training, Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, Rhode Island Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development and the City of Providence.
Southeastern New England is uniquely positioned to lead America’s blue economy. The region has seven commercial ports, world-class manufacturing and research facilities, and an ocean workforce of over 54,000 people. In addition, this region is home to hundreds of companies in the marine science, robotics, and composites sector, as well as a broader ocean technology supply chain of nearly 8,300 companies, including global leaders with expertise in undersea technology and rich oceanographic research entities, including the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography, the Marine & Undersea Technology Research Program at UMass Dartmouth and more.
As a federally designated Tech Hub, the Ocean Tech Hub is currently working with academic and industry leaders throughout the region to identify opportunities for investment and commercialization. We have submitted a proposal to the U.S. Economic Development Agency (EDA) as part of the Tech Hubs Phase 2 funding application and expect to hear announcement of award in Summer 2024. EDA will award implementation grants to 5-10 Tech Hubs, with each of those Hubs receiving approximately $40-$70 million across approximately 3-8projects.
Blue Technology Innovation is the use of technology to create solutions that are sustainable, innovative, and collaborative. This includes the development of new technologies, such as renewable energy sources, ocean-based agriculture, and ocean-based transportation. It also includes the use of existing technologies, such as artificial intelligence (A.I.) and robotics and automation, to create new solutions for the ocean economy.
The Blue Economy is important because it provides economic opportunities for communities around the world. It also helps to protect the environment and promote sustainable development. By investing in the Blue Economy, we can create jobs, reduce poverty, and create a more sustainable future for our planet.
- Ocean Research: increasingly crucial to understand climate change and potential resilience
- Maritime Trade: 80% of global goods moved by ship
- Military, defense, and homeland security: $2.24T military spending globally
- Aquaculture: 50% of human consumption seafood and rising is farm-raised
- Undersea infrastructure: OSW, telecommunications cabling, etc.
- Marine renewable energy: Wind, tidal, thermal conversions, deep-water currents
Ocean Tech Hub Resources
Other Blue Economy Resources
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