Washington State rolls out Maritime Blue 2050

On January 8, the Advisory Council formed in December 2017 by Governor Jay Inslee presented its plan to accelerate maritime tech innovation, create jobs, protect the environment, and ensure industry sustainability and growth. Maritime Blue 2050 is the first initiative of its kind in the United States to bolster innovations in the maritime sector that create living-wage jobs, protect the environment, and ensure sustainability for the industry.

Green Marine is proud to have played an active role to the development of the strategy with West Coast & U.S. Program Manager Eleanor Kirtley sitting on the Washington Maritime Blue Steering Committee.

The strategy framework consists of five primary strategic goals, all underpinned by pathways for development, initiatives, demonstration projects and recommendations. The five goals are:

• A thriving low-carbon industry through deep decarbonization
• A Global Innovation Hub by accelerating Blue Technology
• Growing gateways, by supporting working waterfronts
• A 21st century workforce, through inclusive and diverse workforce development
• A world-class cluster, through an independent, strategic organization

A primary recommendation of the strategy is to support the development and construction of a Maritime Innovation Center. Slated for the Port of Seattle, the centre is being designed to support technology acceleration and incubation, as well as serve as a focal point for maritime sustainability.