Latest Industry News
Oceans Advance Newsletter – December 20, 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year marked by innovation, collaboration, and significant progress in advancing the ocean technology ecosystem.
From advancements in marine robotics and renewable energy systems to strides in underwater data analytics and ocean conservation, this year has reinforced the critical role our industry plays in building a sustainable blue economy.
These achievements are a testament to the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of our members, partners, and stakeholders. Your contributions continue to drive the industry forward, addressing challenges while unlocking new opportunities for the future.
As the holiday season approaches, I extend my warmest wishes to you and your families. May this time offer moments of rest, reflection, and renewed energy for the year ahead.
Together, we look forward to building on this momentum and reaching new heights in 2025.
Happy Holidays and best wishes for a prosperous New Year.
NORAD Modernization and IDEaS: Maximizing Innovation
Do you have a vision for innovation? The IDEaS NORAD Modernization S&T contest opens the door for technologies at early stages of development to assist in the continental defence of North America.
This IDEaS challenge offers support to Canadian innovators through the NORAD modernization science and technology stream.
All applications must be submitted by:
📅 February 6, 2025
🕰️ 15:00 EST
New Travel Requirements for Canadians travelling to the United Kingdom
Starting January 8, 2025, Canadian travellers visiting or transiting through the United Kingdom (UK) will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to their trip. Canadian travellers will be able to apply for an ETA starting on November 27, 2024.
What is the ETA?
The ETA is an advance travel permission required for visa‑free visits to or transits through the UK. It will not apply to British or Irish passport holders.
The ETA will be linked to the traveller’s passport and will cost 10 British pounds. It will permit multiple trips to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever is sooner. If you get a new passport, you will need to apply for a new ETA.
For more details on entry requirements, visit the Government of Canada’s UK travel page.
Key details about the ETA:
- Cost: £10
- Validity: Two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
- Use: Permits multiple stays of up to six months at a time.
- A new ETA is required with each new passport
Important message from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office on Fraudulent E-mails
Recently, businesses from Atlantic Canada fell victim to fraudulent emails from individuals posing as intellectual property attorneys. The apparent purpose of these emails is to put pressure on business owners, claiming that they own formal IP rights. In this particular case, the emails mention certain actions/threats regarding potential trademark infringement. It should be noted that fraudulent emails are also circulating with respect to patents and industrial designs.
At first glance, these emails appear credible. It is important to remain vigilant. For information on how to recognize and report an instance, please consult our latest web notice.
If you would like to learn more about this issue and how to protect your IP, you may choose from the following two options:
- Contacting the Client Service Centre at [email protected], in order to share any suspicious email
- Requesting a meeting with Intellectual Property Advisor for Atlantic Canada, André Gallant, by booking a meeting by clicking here
Member News
Safety First: Humans at Sea
The 79th Issue of the Journal of Ocean Technology
The 79th issue of the Journal of Ocean Technology is now available online in open access format. This issue focuses on “safety first: humans at sea” with guest editor Dr. Steven Mallam of the Marine Institute. Topics range from utilizing enhanced connectivity and data integration for safety monitoring and reactions, new technology development in lifeboats and lifesaving equipment, emerging uses for AI in differing search and rescue and detection technologies, augmented reality for maritime navigation support, offshore safety training facilities and programs, and advanced training simulators. Read about a full range of safety-related topics from around the world. For more information, email Dawn Roche.
Important Dates Spring 2025: MUN Business Co-op Job Placements
All job advertisements are required at least three days before the posting date.
Job Postings
- January 9
- January 16
- January 23
Interviews: January 15 – February 6
Ranking Due: February 7
Match: February 12
Midterm Break: February 24-28
Exams: April 10-19
Work Term Dates: May 5 – August 29
Upcoming Events
Canadian Trade Delegation to the Singapore Maritime Week 2025
📅 March 24 to March 28, 2025
🏢 Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre
📍 Singapore, Singapore
Target Audience: Canadian Companies offering ocean technology products and services
Sector: Ocean technologies
The Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2025 Conference and Exhibition will cover topics like decarbonization, AI-driven innovation, low-carbon fuels, maritime drones, cybersecurity, and talent attraction. The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) is organizing a trade delegation to this event, aiming to promote sustainable practices and innovation in the maritime sector.
Canadian companies joining the trade delegation will benefit from:
- Access to a shared meeting space within the Canadian Pavilion
- Tailored business-to-business meetings
- Branding opportunities in a Canadian Company brochure distributed to all Pavilion visitors
- A market briefing on the ocean technologies sector in Singapore
- A networking reception
- A site visit
- Access to the exhibition and conference (note that the TCS does not cover event passes but trade visitors can attend free of charge).
According to the Singapore’s Ministry of Transport, Singapore’s strategic position along shipping routes, as well as its diverse ecosystem of maritime services such as ship management, agency, finance, insurance, broking and surveying, and marinetech, Singapore is well placed as a gateway for maritime companies to do business in the Asia-Pacific region. Over 5,000 maritime establishments and businesses, including more than 140 international shipping groups and a varied range of maritime service providers, have their offices in Singapore. These factors make Singapore a Maritime Hub and marine related trade accounts for 7% of the country’s GDP.
The Singapore Government actively supports many initiatives in the sector and has set ambitious targets including:
- Opening in September 2022 and with targeted completion in 2024, the Maritime Port Authority is building the world’s first fully automated terminal.
- Issuance of Expression of Interest for design, development, demand aggregation and financing or new electric harbour craft (to be fully electric, capable of using B100 biofuels, or be compatible with net zero fuels from 2030).
- Harbour craft and pleasure craft sectors to achieve zero emissions by 2050.
As a result, the CanadianTrade Commissioner Service in Singapore sees ocean technologies opportunities in the following areas:
- Smart port technology including AI based automation and machine learning.
- Simulation systems for training.
- Hybrid electrical power systems for ship propulsion.
- Marine robotics – autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) / autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) / remotely operated vehicle (ROV) / Drones
- Marine technology – acoustics, hydrographic survey, imaging, metocean data collection
- Aquaculture support technology
Register to Attend
Contact Mr. Andrew Threlfall ([email protected]), Trade Commissioner (ocean technologies), with a cc to Ms. Norliyah Jamal ([email protected]) to join the trade delegation.
A pre-mission survey will be sent to you, for completion and return by our recruitment closing date of February 28, 2025, to confirm your registration to the trade delegation.
Opportunities
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Call for Proposals: Ecosystems and Oceans Science Contribution Framework for 2025-26
On December 11, 2024, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) launched a call for proposals for the Ecosystems and Oceans Science Contribution Framework for 2025-26.
Through this open call, DFO is seeking projects that deliver scientific research and related scientific activities that support evidence-based decision making and increase public understanding about the health of marine and freshwater ecosystems. This open call will support projects under the following three priority areas:
- Environmental Preparedness and Response Science (EPRS) – 1 year funding
- Marine Environmental Quality (MEQ) – 3 years funding
- Marine Conservation Target (MCT) – 1 year funding
In order to streamline the application process, DFO will only accept funding requests submitted through the use of a Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI approach will be used as a first screening process requesting only high level project information to be submitted by applicants. Detailed proposals will only be requested in a second stage, and be limited only to those LOIs that best align with the priority areas and eligibility requirements.
Further information on the individual priority areas and application process associated with the Open Call is available from the Ecosystems and Oceans Science Contribution Framework website. Additionally, the Funding Opportunities website offers easy access to the application package, including hyperlinks to relevant documentation, including:
Please note that LOIs will be accepted until:
📅 January 12th, 2025
🕰️ 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time
Should you require any additional information, please contact the EOS Grants and Contribution Secretariat.
Canada – Taiwan 2024-25: Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Call for Proposals
The governments of Canada and Taiwan have launched a collaborative research and development (R&D) call for proposals. Applications from Canadian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and Taiwan organizations can be submitted for project funding support to their respective government funding department. Priority will be given to projects with high commercialization potential.
Selected Canadian SMEs may receive up to 50% reimbursement of eligible project costs, up to a maximum total funding amount of $600,000.
In Canada, funding is offered through the Canadian International Innovation Program. This program is provided by Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). For detailed information on this call for proposals and registration, visit the NRC IRAP webpage.
The Canadian International Innovation Program CIIP is a funding program offered to Canadian small or medium-sized enterprises to pursue international research and development (R&D) collaboration with a foreign partner on projects that have the potential for commercialization.
Subscribe to Global Affairs Canada’s mailing list to receive future email notifications.
Japan – Corporate Co-Innovation Program
Deadline to register:
📅 January 31, 2025
Sector of focus: Digital industries, clean technologies, advanced manufacturing, natural resources and energy, health and life sciences, agriculture and food, transportation
Open to: Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Why should you apply?
- Are you in discussions for co-innovation with a Japanese corporate partner?
- Do you require validation, adaptation, or proof of concept of your innovative product for the Japanese market?
- NRC IRAP can provide support of up to 75,000$ for proof of concept projects with Japanese partner(s) and the goal is to develop a future R&D project with this partner.
Canada – UK 2024-25: Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Call for Proposals
Deadline to register:
📅 January 8, 2025
Sector of focus: Multisector (including ocean sciences and technologies and clean energy technologies)
Open to: Canadian SMEs
Why should you apply?
- The UK was Canada’s fourth-largest single-country trading partner in 2023.
- The Canada – UK trade relationship was valued at C$44.6 billion in 2023.
- Almost 3,500 Canadian companies exported goods to the UK in 2023, 90% of which were SMEs.
Related events: Please visit the webinar event to view the briefing event recording. For matchmaking opportunities, please visit the B2Match event platform, to create an online profile, request 1:1 meetings and find partners for a collaborative project.
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