The European Space Agency (ESA) announced the new Space-to-Sea Solutions event, to be held in Naples, Italy on Tuesday 29 September 2026.
This free event, co-organised with the Italian Space Agency (ASI), will be an opportunity to discuss the vital role that space has to play in both the maritime sector and the blue economy. In the context of a sector facing new challenges, high-level stakeholders, representatives of authorities and economic actors will outline their needs and priorities, driving the development of innovative operational solutions, powered by space technologies.
The meeting will involve ports authorities, coastguard representatives, industry representatives, institutional authorities, research entities and key maritime stakeholders. The focus will be to discuss maritime challenges related to digitalisation and connectivity, safety, logistics and more. The event will also explore the central role of ports within the maritime ecosystem.
ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS), an element of the ACCESS programme, supports the industrial ecosystem in the development of innovative and commercially sustainable solutions, enabled by space technologies. Numerous sector players and port authorities in Europe and worldwide collaborate with ESA through the Maritime Sustainability Task Force and an ad-hoc Space for Ports working group.
ESA BASS tailored funding opportunities specific to the maritime ecosystem will be presented during the event.
Why and how to join the event
The event will provide networking opportunities for attendees, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among institutions, regulatory authorities, technology providers, space and non-space industry players, and maritime as well as ports operators. By bringing together a diverse audience of stakeholders, the event aims to spark dialogue and inspire actionable ideas, demonstrating the essential role of space in the maritime sector while also match-making between demand and supply to shape the next generation of solutions.
Any business or organisation considering applying for funding with BASS and wishing to attend this event must be based in an ESA Member State.
Places are limited and admission will be strictly for approved attendees only: all those registering to join the event - through this dedicated link - will be assessed internally and confirmation of places will be sent by the organisers as soon as possible. The deadline for registrations is Monday 31 August 2026, or until maximum capacity is reached.
Agenda
09:30 | Registration
10:30 | Welcome and Opening Remarks
European Space Agency: Nick Appleyard, Head of Commercialisation Acceleration Department
Italian Space Agency (ASI)
The Italian Coast Guard Headquarters (ITCG)
10:45 | Navigating Tomorrow: Safety, Security, and Smart Logistics
Keynote from European Maritime Space Agency (EMSA)
Keynote from Italian Coast Guard (ITCG)
Announcement of ESA-ITCG MoI renewal
Scaling innovation in ports: Giuseppe Luppino, Programme Manager, ALICE
The Autonomy horizon: Marko Rahikainen, Director of Regulatory Affairs, ONE SEA Alliance
11:50 | Space funding opportunities in support of the Maritime Sector
ESA ACCESS/BASS: Rita Rinaldo, Head of Applications Projects and Studies Division
Space Applications for Port and Maritime (ASI)
12:20 | Westbrook Racing - E1 Series Team
Ana Agostinho, Sustainability Lead, Westbrook Racing
Stefan Mühlbauer, Senior Innovation Manager, EOMAP
12:30 | Networking Lunch
14:00 | Smart Ports Ecosystem: balancing space, tech and requirements
Moderator: Enrico Spinelli, Applications Engineer, ESA
Mike Dawson, People & Digital Transformation Director, Belfast Harbour
Giancarlo Ferrara, INO IAM/U-space R&I Programme Manager, Eurocontrol
Cosimo Cervicato, Manager Energy Saving, R&D and Ship Design, Grimaldi Group
'Space for PORTS Working Group' Announcement
High Impact Projects
14:55 | Panel with Italian BASS testimonials
Moderator: Donatella Proto, Director General for Enabling Technologies, MIMIT
5G MASS: TIM representative, and Paolo Pagano, Director of CNIT Laboratory at Port of Livorno, CNIT
I-CRANE: Clemente Fuggini, Senior Asset Development Manager, Rina
15:15 | European testimonials from BASS
Moderator: Roberta Mugellesi Dow, Business Applications Manager, Telespazio UK for ESA
IntMap: Remy Ntshaykolo, co founder and Director of Data, Greensee
Cache Net Zero: Dave Fox, Chairman and Sales Director, Geospatial Insight Ltd
Rumore (Sarmap)
MaSSh2 (Sternula)
Maritime Digitalisation & Connectivity
15:50 | Keynote
16:05 | Engineering the Maritime Single Window: Lessons Learned and Next Steps
Matteo Prantner, Commander Italian Coast Guard ICT Dep traffic and monitoring systems, ITCG
Stefania Coppola, Lieutenant Commander, ITCG
16:20 | ESA VDES Conference Announcement & Upcoming Funding Opportunities (ESA)
16:25 | ESA BASS Ambassador for Italy
16:30 | Summary and Wrap Up Session
16:35 | Networking Drinks
