NMCI’s Seafarer’s Conference 2024 Announced

The conference, sponsored by Simply Blue Group, will bring together representatives from Government Departments, maritime industry, supply chain workforce, and training & education institutions both nationally and internationally to explore the opportunities to support and grow the fishing and offshore wind industries in Ireland. Considering the climate crisis, Ireland’s ambition for offshore renewable energy is large.  Equally, considering the biodiversity crisis and the importance of food security, the ambition for sustainable fishing and seafood is of central importance to Ireland’s coastal communities and beyond.  As humankind looks seaward for solutions the necessity to plot a coexistent future at sea is of central importance.  Ireland will need to prepare its maritime industry’s capability and capacity beyond anything that it has achieved to date if it is to realise its ambition.

Panel chairs Captain Brian Fitzgerald, Director of External Affairs and Stakeholder Liaison, Simply Blue Group; Commander Roberta O’Brien, Associate Head of College, NMCI; Dr. Paul Hegarty, Head of College, NMCI; and Peter Coyle, Chair Marine Renewable Industry Association will lead discussions on topics such as Enabling Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Energy Ambition; Enabling Ireland’s Fishing Industry Ambition; The International Experience of Meeting Maritime Ambition ; and What Will Success Look Like in ten years’ time – 2034; with contributions from a broad range of leading experts on each topic, followed by individual presentations.

Speaking at the announcement of the 2024 conference, Niall Collins T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science said: “Ireland needs to support and generate employment in our offshore industries, ensuring that our vitally important sustainable seafood industry thrives in parallel with meeting climate action targets from the development of offshore renewable energies, protecting biodiversity in our oceans, and delivering suitable further and higher education programmes, while supporting and enhancing the skills needed to promote these sectors.  The annual NMCI Seafarers’ Conference is an ideal platform for sharing ideas and practical solutions to help these sectors grow and thrive.”

Dr. Paul Hegarty, Head of College, NMCI commented:“The National Maritime College of Ireland, supported by Simply Blue Group, is delighted to once again host Ireland’s maritime stakeholders at our third annual Seafarers’ Conference, in Limerick.  The provision of maritime education, training and skills will be central tenets for Ireland’s ability to realise its ambition across the maritime economy.  I very much look forward to welcoming participants in person and online and once again to engage in conversations around our shared maritime future on this island nation.”

Captain Brian Fitzgerald, Director of External Affairs and Stakeholder Liaison, Simply Blue Group, said: “The NMCI Seafarers’ Conference is an important forum for coming together and encouraging open, expert discussion on the challenges and opportunities for the fishing industry, the offshore renewable energy industry and relevant Government Departments with a view to plotting the way forward to a sustainable and coexistent future.”

To register to attend this conference, either virtually or in-person, please click here.