TIDINGS

On Course — OTC at Oceanology International in London

From 10 to 12 March, the Ocean Technology Campus Rostock was represented at Stand G605, as the international ocean technology community gathered at Oceanology International in London — one of the most important trade fairs in the world. The appearance paid off.

What became clear once again: the name Rostock is now met with recognition in international conversations. The ecosystem of research, industry and start-ups that we have built here is no longer a regional story — it is an international one.

For those who could not attend: the next Oceanology International will take place in 2028. Anyone interested in joining our next appearance is welcome to contact the Cluster Office.

Moving Forward Together — Cluster Meeting, 18 March

Nearly 100 experts, one day, one question: What comes next?

What sets the Ocean Technology Campus apart from other networks is best illustrated by a concrete moment: on 18 March, nearly 100 researchers and scientists gathered at the Konrad-Zuse-Haus — not for a conference, but to work. This happens twice a year. It is one of those moments when a cluster becomes a true ecosystem.

The Cluster Speaker opened with an impulse on our strategic direction. Tec2B presented the current state of their technology transfer work — how research results become market-ready solutions. PhotomicAI, a deep-tech start-up that grew from within the campus, demonstrated how AI-driven image analysis supports the assessment of water body conditions. In the afternoon, Das Blaue Netzwerk led a workshop on "How economic and ecological sustainability can be brought together", connecting participants across innovation fields.

This is the campus model: research that becomes applicable. Start-ups that emerge from within. Networks that bridge the boundaries between science and industry.

Strategic Expansion: Maritime Security at the Ocean Technology Campus

The Cluster Assembly of the Ocean Technology Campus Rostock has unanimously resolved to actively expand the campus portfolio to include partners and topics from the maritime security and defence industry. This strategic decision reflects the growing geopolitical relevance of the sector. Participation in specific projects and topic areas of the campus remains entirely at the discretion of each individual partner.

To efficiently connect the nearly 70 actors — from specialised research institutes to large industrial companies — a dedicated coordination office has been established. The focus areas include:

• Scheduling & event planning
• Information on security & defence projects (including outside the Future Cluster)
• Networking for the upcoming Phase 3 of our cluster projects

The operational leadership of this coordination office is taken over by Uta Hermes. Do you have interesting projects or are you planning events in the security & defence space? Reach out to Uta directly to become part of the coordinated effort in Rostock.

Brussels, Halifax, Hamburg — OTC on the Move

March is peak season in our calendar: alongside London, our network was also represented in Brussels at the Blue Invest Day (2–3 March), where investors and innovators from the Blue Economy came together. For the Ocean Technology Campus, this was an opportunity to present our projects to an audience concretely interested in financing and scaling.

Baltic Sea Business Day — 16 April, Rostock

On 16 April, the Baltic Sea Business Day at the Rostocker Stadthalle will bring together companies from all democratic Baltic Sea states — for networking, collaboration and a shared look at challenges such as climate-neutral business and maritime security. We will be represented with our own session: under the theme "Innovation for the Sustainable Use of the Baltic Sea", talks will cover sustainable water management, water as a critical resource, and molecular methods for Baltic Sea monitoring.

H2O Conference — Halifax, Canada

This summer, Halifax is on the agenda: at the H2O Conference (8–10 June), we will further develop our collaboration with COVE — the Canadian counterpart of the Ocean Technology Campus. The partnership with COVE is one of the most fruitful we have built in recent years.

OTC in the Rostock City Centre — K-17 at OstseeSparkasse

In June 2026, the Ocean Technology Campus will be present at the K-17 of OstseeSparkasse — a centrally located pop-up store that brings maritime innovation directly into the city. The goal is to make Rostock visible as a centre for ocean technology: for the general public, young talent, professionals and potential partners. Member organisations can get involved through stand staffing, materials or exhibits. Those who wish to participate are welcome to contact the Cluster Office.

Network Highlights

New Steering Committee, Clear Course

The Steering Committee of the Ocean Technology Campus has been newly formed. With Johannes Hopf (EvoLogics GmbH), Robert Mars (Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde) and Maren Scheurer (40knots), three new members join — complementing the existing team of Juliane Ziebuhr (Framework Robotics), Franziska Schmacka (Subsea Monitoring Network), and the two Cluster Speakers Prof. Dr. Uwe von Lukas (Fraunhofer IGD) and Prof. Dr. Sascha Kosleck (University of Rostock).

Research, industry and management in one body: this is the model that sustains the campus as an innovation hub — and one this constellation continues to sharpen.

Tec2B — Bringing Research into Application

With the Tec2B (Technology to Business) project, the Ocean Technology Campus Rostock is systematically strengthening the transfer of research results into commercial application. The goal is to convert scientific insights from the campus — together with partners from research, industry and networks — into market-ready products, services and business models.

👋 New Team Member

We are pleased to welcome a new colleague to the campus team within the Tec2B project: Lukas Buschhusen from Rostock Business will support the project particularly in technology transfer, coordination and partner collaboration — making a key contribution to the economic sustainability of campus projects.

With Tec2B, we underline our ambition to develop the Ocean Technology Campus not just as a research site, but as a living innovation ecosystem.