Vision & Goals

Our vision is to build a brand that is internationally recognised and upholds the quality promise of “High-Tech Made in Germany” even in this growth sector.

So far, German companies are seldom noticed in international markets due to the absence of a system leader and their relatively small sise, which results in a very low market share. Currently, German companies hold only a 3% market share in maritime technology. To exploit this significant growth potential, it is essential to enhance the competitiveness of the German maritime industry through the networking of specialised competencies and the development of systems.

Utilising the resources of the deep sea presents a tremendous technical and scientific challenge with equally enormous potential for innovation. While comparable to demanding space programs, such as a moon landing, in terms of technological challenges, it has considerably more potential impacts on human life and national economies.

There is a noticeable increase in activities in the deep sea, particularly for the development of new oil and gas reserves and underwater mining.

Due to the anticipated significant rise in global energy demand in the medium to long term, deposits previously considered uneconomical are increasingly being developed, and energy carriers such as gas hydrates from hard-to-reach areas of the sea or deep sea are identified as potential future energy sources.

Therefore, the importance of environmental policies to protect marine fauna and flora will increase. Innovative monitoring systems, known as integrated subsea monitoring systems, will be required for deep-sea research and observation, environmental monitoring, and the condition monitoring of underwater structures.

Marine research in Germany, and to some extent the existing maritime industry, have earned an excellent international reputation. However, since significantly larger resources are being deployed in other countries, it is essential to consolidate the expertise available in Germany to maximise benefits and minimise risks. This requires a network that unites existing competencies for an economically necessary innovation strategy in deep-sea technology.

With subsea monitoring technology, we support the maritime industry’s process chains, from resource exploration to production and post-processing, to safety and environmental management. We develop efficient measurement methods, control, and diagnostic tools to eliminate potential hazards and prevent environmental damage.

By implementing these technological concepts, we aim to constructively contribute to reconciling economy and ecology in the world’s oceans and to ensure the vitality of the all-encompassing blue life source for the future.

Our network, with its diversity, covers the fields of oceanography, limnology, hydrology, offshore oil/gas, offshore wind, and underwater technology.

We place great importance on strategically expanding and complementing our network, as well as connecting it with the research landscape, key institutions, and leading players. Alongside the structural orientation of the network, joint technology development is a primary focus. The network partners are mainly companies specializing in specific components.

Future opportunities, especially in industrial applications, lie in system integration, i.e., the development and construction of complete systems, which can be more easily realised and marketed within a network.

System integration is thus the overarching goal of the network. Based on the competencies available within the network, interesting future-oriented project or product approaches are identified, prioritised, and advanced. Additionally, there is support for partners in market analysis, marketing strategy development, and public relations.