The second meeting of the Working Group for National Smart Specialisations concerning innovative maritime technologies (NSS 20) was held on Monday, 10th October in the Senate Hall of MUS. The Group members were hosted by the Vice Chairman - Rector of MUS, Wojciech Ślączka, PhD, Eng., Master Mariner together with Vice Deans and university representatives.

During the meeting, the Group debating under the chairmanship of doctor Stanisław Szultka analysed the research and development areas for NSS 20 concerning smart maritime technologies to which Polish companies interested in participation in EU programmes could apply.

Apart from an intensive discussion on current problems of the industry, an attempt was made at a diagnosis and determination of the development vision for the nearest 5-10 years. Rafał Malujda, the Patent Attorney of the Maritime University of Szczecin, presented an analysis of patent applications within the scope of maritime economy in Poland and abroad. The participants of the meeting also agreed as to the greatest challenges for the industry and the priorities as regards development of maritime technologies.

- Currently, “maritime” NSS is divided into three themes: vessels, off-shore and on-shore constructions as well as IT and logistics. Together with other Szczecin-based group members, we perceive a necessity to adjust the NSS to the requirements of the West Pomeranian business entities - sums up Konrad Frontczak, the President of MUS Innovation Centre.

During the visit, in the interval of the meeting, the participants visited the simulators in the LNG Transport Technology Centre and the Marine Traffic Engineering Centre.

The Working Groups are groups of experts from the whole Poland, established with an aim of supporting evaluation of funding applications. Verifying whether an enterprise applying for financial support fulfils the criteria of NSS will be possible on the basis of the criteria developed by these groups.