Ocean Tech Hub Education & Resources
Ocean Technology In Southeastern New England
FAQs
The Ocean Tech Hub is the nation’s only federally designated Tech Hub focused on ocean technology. Its mission is to accelerate the development, testing, commercialization, and deployment of ocean technologies by connecting businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs with the resources, infrastructure, expertise, and opportunities they need to accelerate innovation.
The Ocean Tech Hub is a regional consortium led by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and supported by partners across Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. The consortium brings together leaders from industry, academia, government, workforce development, economic development, labor, and community organizations to advance ocean technology innovation, commercialization, manufacturing, and workforce development.
Southeastern New England is uniquely positioned to lead America’s ocean 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.
Ocean Technology Innovation, also called Blue Tech is the development and application of new technologies, products, services, and processes that advance the understanding, use, and operation of ocean, coastal, and maritime environments. It includes advancements in undersea robotics, autonomous systems, sensors, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, offshore energy, ocean data systems, and other technologies that support economic growth, scientific discovery, maritime operations, and national security.
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 Ocean 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.
- Offshore Energy: Wind, tidal, thermal conversions, deep-water currentsm, oil and gas
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