The fifth edition of Tomorrow. Blue Economy World Congress (TBEWC) will bring together more than 120 international speakers in Barcelona from 3 to 5 November 2026 to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the global blue economy.
Held as part of Smart City Expo World Congress 2026, the event will bring together companies, public administrations, research institutions, startups, and investors to promote solutions that accelerate the transition to a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive blue economy.
Organised by Fira de Barcelona in collaboration with Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Activa, the Port of Barcelona, the World Ocean Council (WOC), Oceanovation and Smart Ports: Piers of the Future, the congress incorporates the established Global Blue Finance Summit (BlueFIN) and Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS).
TBEWC aims to connect new ideas and marine technologies with the capital, organisations and talent needed to bring them to market.
This year's discussions will focus on combining economic growth with the protection of marine ecosystems through innovation, investment, talent development and public-private collaboration.
Speakers include Nadia Quevedo, Commissioner for Economic Promotion at Barcelona City Council; Emma Cobos, Director of Innovation and Blue Economy Strategy at the Port of Barcelona; Chris Ninnes, CEO of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council; Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy, CEO and Managing Director of the World Ocean Council; Anna Majó, Director of Strategic Sectors and Innovation at Barcelona Activa; Leila Ben Hassen, founder and CEO of Blue Jay Catalyst; Alice Schroeder, CEO of Unu Oceano; Hoa Doan, Head of Impact and Sustainability at Notpla; and Eugene Montoya, founder of Sandmont Natural Capital.
Maritime Innovation and Ocean Finance
Key topics at the congress will include maritime decarbonisation, ocean data and digital technologies, marine biotechnology, sustainable aquaculture, blue carbon markets, coastal resilience and biodiversity protection. The event will also examine how to mobilise investment in these areas and attract and develop the talent needed to turn technological advances into new solutions and business opportunities.
The 2026 edition will feature four specialised events and programmes covering the blue economy value chain, from innovation and technology development to financing, scaling, and talent.
The eighth edition of Smart Ports: Piers of the Future will bring together ports, startups, corporations, public institutions and investors to discuss port decarbonisation, digitalisation, infrastructure automation and port-city integration.
An innovation area will showcase 50 blue economy startups, and the Lighthouse and New Latitude acceleration programmes, promoted by BlueTechPort and Fundació BCN Port Innovation, will also be featured.
The Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS), now in its 16th year, will bring together business leaders, institutional representatives, and sustainability experts to examine how economic growth can align with ocean conservation and global climate resilience goals.
The Global Blue Finance Summit (BlueFIN), first held in Barcelona in 2022, will explore investment opportunities in ocean innovation, sustainable infrastructure, biodiversity markets and financing mechanisms for blue economy projects.
The Ocean Innovation Hub will showcase more than 40 startups and emerging companies developing marine technologies, while facilitating connections with potential investors and strategic partners.
Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Activa, will present its Blue Economy Promotion Strategy 2026–2030, a new roadmap designed to encourage economic activity, quality employment and marine-related innovation.
Exhibition and Industry Partnerships
Innovation and talent will also feature prominently, with CONNECTIO Meetings designed to encourage collaboration between corporations and startups, alongside a Talent Marketplace connecting companies with professionals seeking employment.
The exhibition area will bring together more than 40 companies and organisations, including Slow Mill Wave Power, ITACA Futures, Dottir Labs, Floating Power Plant, Moshun.Earth, Kendoo, Ovue, Studio Otter, Nature Brain and Sea Clay.
The President of the Port of Barcelona, José Alberto Carbonell, said: “Tomorrow.Blue Economy puts Barcelona at the heart of the blue-economy debate, while Smart Ports: Piers of the Future brings ports' vision and experience to the discussion. It is an opportunity to share knowledge, build partnerships and work together to transform a sector that has a key role to play in decarbonisation, digitalisation and competitiveness.”
Barcelona City Council's Commissioner for Economic Promotion, Nadia Quevedo, said the congress would place talent, innovation and international partnerships at the heart of the city's efforts to develop a more sustainable and resilient blue economy.
World Ocean Council CEO Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy welcomed the continued partnership between the city, port and international maritime business community.
Tomorrow.Blue Economy World Congress will take place at Fira de Barcelona's Gran Via venue from 3 to 5 November, alongside Smart City Expo World Congress. Together, the events are expected to attract more than 1,000 exhibitors and over 25,000 attendees.
