Canada’s Ocean Supercluster invests in a sustainable maritime future

As part of its Ambition 2035 strategy and in collaboration with Canada’s ocean community, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) has announced a series of investments to grow the country’s ocean economy fivefold, reaching a value of $220 million by 2035.

Among these investments, three projects stand out for advancing an innovative ocean economy and promoting sustainable practices in the maritime industry.

Lilypad: A mobile solution for vessel charging

The Lilypad project aims to deploy a mobile charging station for electric vessels. Developed by Mostar Labs in partnership with Engage Creative Technologies, this innovation provides a flexible way to accelerate maritime electrification.

With total funding of $3M, including $1.2M from the OSC, the barge serves as a floating service station that can be positioned wherever demand arises. Beyond charging, Lilypad offers emergency power capabilities and features smart‑grid integration. It enhances coastal community resilience and supports digital adoption in marine transportation, helping the industry transition to cleaner practices.

Digital Ship^®: A platform for smarter vessel support

The Digital Ship Vessel Sustainment Project, developed by Genoa Design International and SSI — a software, service, and expertise provider for the shipbuilding sector — is a digital platform designed to improve the efficiency and safety of deep-sea vessels and foster a sustainable future for Canada’s maritime fleet.

With a total budget of $2.4M, including $815,000 from the OSC, the project supports the critical in‑service support (ISS) phase of a vessel’s lifecycle. The platform also has the potential to improve ship design, construction, and overall lifecycle management.

WhisperLoop: An acoustic system for marine protection

WhisperLoop is an AI-based underwater acoustic monitoring system designed to detect, classify, and characterize marine acoustic sources in real time. It combines machine learning with a compact towed hydrophone array to support the operations of autonomous and uncrewed vessels.

With total funding of $6.5M, including $2.5M from the OSC, WhisperLoop plays a key role in protecting marine mammals, supporting environmental monitoring, and analyzing acoustic pollution. The incorporation of Indigenous knowledge and the collaboration between industry and academia are supporting this sustainable approach, strengthening national marine monitoring and defence capabilities.