June 1, 2026

About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster 

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) is committed to meaningful Indigenous engagement as a core part of its mission to grow Canada’s ocean economy sustainably. Grounded in the principles of reconciliation, respect for Indigenous rights, and recognition of Indigenous knowledge systems, the OSC works collaboratively with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities across Canada to create economic, training, employment, and business development opportunities aligned with community priorities. Through initiatives such as the Two-Eyed Seeing program, which brings together Indigenous knowledge and Western science, the Indigenous Career Pivot Program, which connects Indigenous talent to ocean-sector careers, and the Indigenous Coastal Innovation Challenge, which supports Indigenous-led climate resilience and ocean innovation projects, the OSC is helping increase Indigenous participation and leadership in Canada’s ocean economy. Indigenous perspectives are increasingly integrated across OSC-funded projects, partnerships, and policy development, reflecting the organization’s commitment to co-creation, capacity building, and ensuring Indigenous communities are active partners in shaping the future of Canada’s ocean sector.

A commitment to meaningful Indigenous engagement (not a single position) 

OSC recognizes that Indigenous perspectives cannot be represented through a single voice or seat. The Board is therefore seeking to build a broader and more sustained relationship with Indigenous leaders, including those from Arctic regions, through: 

Board membership opportunities for Indigenous candidates 
Potential committee participation, including advisory or audit-related roles aligned with expertise 
Ongoing engagement with Indigenous leaders and communities to inform Board discussions and strategic direction 

This approach is intended to ensure that Indigenous and Arctic Indigenous perspectives are integrated in a sustained and meaningful way, consistent with OSC’s commitment to inclusive governance. 

What you would contribute 

OSC is seeking Indigenous leaders who can contribute to Board oversight and strategy in alignment with its competency-based Board model, where Directors are appointed based on complementary skills, experience, and expertise.  

Areas of contribution may include: 

Strategic insight into Indigenous economic development and participation in the ocean economy 
Knowledge of Arctic, Northern, or remote coastal communities and industries (considered a strong asset) 
Experience engaging with government, industry, or community partners 
Contributions across key Board competency areas such as governance, investment, financial literacy, and ESG considerations 

What participation looks like 

For those appointed to the Board: 

Virtual Board meetings are held 6–10 times per year, with 1–2 in-person meetings annually 
Estimated time commitment is approximately 3–4 hours per month, which may increase with committee involvement 
Participation in committee work (including potential advisory engagement) may be available for candidates not immediately appointed to the Board  

OSC recognizes that meaningful engagement may take different forms and is open to structuring participation in ways that are respectful, flexible, and impactful. 

Diversity, independence, and Board composition 

OSC is committed to building a Board that reflects diverse perspectives and experiences, including Indigenous and Arctic Indigenous voices. 

As part of overall Board composition, consideration will be given to: 

Indigenous identity (including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) 
Arctic and Northern representation 
Gender balance and visible minority representation 
Independent Director requirements, in accordance with OSC governance obligations  

How to express interest 

If you are interested in engaging with the OSC Board of Directors—either as a Board member or through broader advisory and committee involvement—please submit: 

A completed Nomination Form, and 
Your CV (combined into one PDF) to nominations@oceansupercluster.ca by July 2^nd.  

June 1, 2026

Are you a finance leader with a professional accounting designation who is passionate about helping grow Canada’s ocean economy? Are you interested in supporting solutions that tackle major challenges including decarbonization, food security, emissions reductions, and biodiversity loss through strategic, industry-led innovation? Are you able to bring strong financial oversight and risk-informed judgment to a national organization managing public and private investment? Then now is the time to consider a seat on the Board of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC).  

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is one of the world’s largest ocean clusters with more than 1000 members from coast-to-coast-to-coast focused on the commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean innovation and building a robust innovation ecosystem to support the transformational growth potential ahead. OSC has a portfolio of more than 160 projects with a total value of $600 million and focuses its investments and activity on Blue Foods, Maritime Awareness and Dual Use Solutions, Decarbonization of Marine Transport, Energy and Climate Solutions. 

So, what are you signing up for if you put your name forward for the OSC Board? 

OSC’s Board of Directors is comprised of seasoned leaders who draw on diverse experience and background to provide strategic direction and oversight. At a high level, the Board helps guide the pan-Canadian deployment of industry and Government funding, oversees organizational planning and risk management, and ensures the organization fulfills its legal obligations.  

Virtual Board meetings are held between 6 and 10 times per year, with 1–2 in-person meetings annually. Overall, the time commitment is estimated at 3–4 hours per month, which may increase with committee involvement. This is a volunteer role; approved travel costs for in-person meetings are reimbursed in accordance with policy.  

What we are looking for  

OSC is seeking a Board candidate who brings strong financial literacy and audit/assurance capability, to assist the Board in fulfilling its obligations and oversight responsibilities in relation to financial reporting, financial planning and investments, the external audit process, monitoring compliance with the financial conditions of the Contribution Agreement (“CA”), the systems of internal control and risk management. 

Required qualifications 

Professional accounting designation (e.g., CPA or equivalent).  
Demonstrated senior-level experience providing strategic financial oversight, ideally in complex, stakeholder-facing environments (e.g., Government funding, regulated sectors, multi-entity organizations).  

Willingness and ability to serve on the Audit Committee, including supporting oversight of audited financial statements, internal controls, financial risk, and audit planning. 

Diversity, independence, and Board composition considerations 

OSC welcomes nominees from diverse backgrounds and is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), including commitments aligned with Canada’s 50–30 Challenge. In assessing candidates, independence, gender, and self-identification as a visible minority will be taken into consideration as part of building a strong, competency-based Board.  

OSC also considers Independent Director status (as defined for OSC governance requirements). A “yes” answer to independence screening questions does not disqualify a candidate, but supports OSC in meeting its Independent Director composition requirements.  

How to apply 

If you are interested in joining the OSC Board of Directors, please submit: 

a completed Nomination Form, and 
your CV combined into one PDF, to nominations@oceansupercluster.ca by July 2.  

May 21, 2026

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) has issued a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct a comprehensive Ocean Industry Funding Landscape Research Study, aiming to better understand and address the persistent access‑to‑capital challenges facing Canada’s ocean economy. 

The RFP notes that while global ocean industries continue to grow rapidly, “access to capital is the single-biggest challenge facing the growth of Canada’s ocean sector” and that the issue varies significantly by sub‑sector, company size, region, and type of capital. The study will identify critical gaps from the perspective of both funders and ocean companies, as well as produce a comprehensive, evidence-based map of the funding ecosystem as it exists today, and outline learnings for Canada based on leading practices in capital deployment in other economies. 

Scope of the Study 

The study will be conducted in a phased approach, with Phase 1 of the project focused on three priority sub‑sectors: 

Aquaculture 
Marine decarbonization 
Marine domain awareness (including sensors, platforms, UAVs, and telemetry‑based data products) 

Phase 1 will also examine challenges by Stage (pre-seed/seed, to commercialization stage, to scale-up stage), funder type (including catalytic funds traditional funders, angel investors, VCs, private equity, and government), and capital stack (non-dilutive, different forms of equity, debt, and structured finance). 

Key deliverables include: 

A Critical Market Gaps Analysis 
A Current State of Funding in the Canadian ocean sector 
Optional global comparisons and leading practices 
A final report and presentation suitable for broad stakeholder engagement 

The project is expected to run from June to August 2026, with a maximum budget of $150,000 CAD. 

Proposal Requirements 

Applicants must outline their methodology, team experience, budget breakdown, and any areas where OSC support may be required (e.g., introductions to companies). The RFP emphasizes that respondents should demonstrate strong connectivity to relevant funder groups and experience in ocean-sector or capital‑market analysis. 

Submission Deadline & Contact 

Proposals are due Friday, June 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ADT. 

Submissions and questions should be directed to: 

Jakub Skrzypczyk 
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster  
Jakub.Skrzypczyk@oceansupercluster.ca 

Read more

April 16, 2025 
For Immediate Release 

(Ottawa, ON) – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) has launched its Ocean AI 2025 Call for Proposals. This new call program is focused on fostering the accelerated development of new and innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects within the ocean sector. 

Through its Ocean AI 2025 Program, the OSC will collaboratively invest with industry partners in successful project proposals. This Call for Proposals is designed to support innovative AI projects that drive growth, efficiency, and market expansion within the ocean sector, leveraging the recommendations set out in Charting the Course to 5X growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy. By providing targeted investment, this initiative enables organizations to harness AI’s potential to address complex challenges, enhance operational capabilities, and create new intellectual property that will contribute to the sector’s long-term competitiveness, ultimately strengthening its global leadership. 

As technological progress is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, AI stands out as a critical tool to drive operational efficiency, foster innovation, and enable companies to differentiate themselves in the global marketplace. This program will allow companies to not only enhance their immediate capabilities, but also their strategic planning and operations, positioning themselves at the forefront of this technological evolution. 

This Call for Proposals is a deadline-driven and competitive framework, providing companies seeking to co-invest with the OSC an avenue to enhance their AI knowledge and capabilities.  

The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Ocean AI 2025 Call for Proposals is May 16th, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ADT/ 1:00 p.m. EDT/ 10:00 a.m. PDT. Full program guidelines can be found here. Complete EOI submissions must be submitted via email to ai@oceansupercluster.ca. To learn more about the Ocean AI 2025 Call for Proposals, join our webinar on April 25, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. ADT/12:00 p.m. EDT/9:00 a.m. PDT. 

Through Ambition 2035 and together with Canada’s ocean community, we are bold in our ambition to grow Canada’s ocean economy 5X to $220 billion by 2035. Continued investment in the accelerated development and commercialization of globally relevant, made in Canada ocean solutions will help us realize this ambition. Read more about the recommendations to help achieve this transformational growth opportunity outlined in Charting the Course to 5X Growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy.    

-30- 

About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster 

 
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 120 projects valued at more than $500 million, which will deliver more than 300 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world.

Media Contact:  
Nancy Andrews  
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster  
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca 

For Immediate Release 
April 8, 2025 

(Ottawa, ON) – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC), together with the National Blue Bioeconomy Steering Committee, launched Canada’s Blue Bioeconomy Insights Report. 

Only a fraction of Canada’s available marine resources, such as kelp and microalgae, are currently being utilized. These resources have immense potential to drive economic growth and ocean innovation by combining traditional practices with innovative technologies, allowing Canada to transform aquatic resources into high-value products like nutraceuticals, bio-based materials, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable energy sources. 

Projections that the global seaweed industry alone will reach $28 billion annually by 2050 show there is substantial room for growth in the Blue Bioeconomy sector. Canada is uniquely positioned to lead the global transition to sustainable, science-driven aquatic industries, and innovations in aquaculture could allow Canada to bridge the gap between its current output and that of global leaders like Norway. 

Under the efforts to support Ambition 2035, a 5X growth potential for Canada’s ocean economy, The Blue Bioeconomy National Steering Committee was formed. With the insights outlined in this new report from industry leaders, researchers, Indigenous leaders, and government officials from across Canada, The National Steering Committee will release a Strategic Approach for Canada to help further shape the rapid growth opportunities in the Blue Bioeconomy – an approach required to realize these opportunities. 

A nationally connected Blue Bioeconomy strategy that leverages our strengths and addresses gaps will not only drive economic growth, but also contribute to environmental conservation and social well-being, positioning Canada as a global leader in this evolving field. 

Through Ambition 2035 and together with Canada’s ocean community, we are bold in our ambition to grow Canada’s ocean economy 5X to $220 billion by 2035. Continued investment in the accelerated development and commercialization of globally relevant, made-in-Canada ocean solutions will help us realize this ambition. Read more about recommendations to help achieve this transformational growth opportunity outlined in Charting the Course to 5X Growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy. 

-30- 

Media Contacts    
Nancy Andrews    
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster    
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca    

About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster     

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 120 projects valued at more than $500 million, which will deliver more than 300 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world.

Quotes 

“Canada’s ocean sector has a 5X growth potential that can help transform our economy, creating more jobs and positioning Canada as a leader in ocean innovation. Focused efforts on policy development, infrastructure investment, and collaboration between industry leaders and research institutions is imperative to achieving this ambition, including a thriving blue bioeconomy. We are thrilled to put forth this insights report as a step toward fulfilling Canada’s full potential as an ocean nation.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
February 25, 2025 

[Ottawa, ON] – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) announced the launch of the Ambition 2035 Awards, a national competition to recognize innovative companies driving Canada’s ocean economy toward $220 billion. 

The Ambition 2035 Awards celebrates ocean companies that have demonstrated market need, scalability, commercial traction, and investment opportunity. Through a comprehensive judging panel, winners receive funding, mentorship, visibility, and access to global investors. Canadian companies developing innovative solutions for the ocean sector – from early-stage innovators to established leaders – are encouraged to apply and showcase their work on this national stage. 

The Ambition 2035 Awards includes three award categories, with prizes totaling $55,000.  

Blue Horizon Award – Recognizing established companies with commercial success and market leadership. ($30,000 CAD) 
Ocean Breakthrough Award – Celebrating emerging companies introducing breakthrough ocean solutions. ($20,000 CAD) 
People’s Choice Award – Awarded to the finalist with the most public engagement in a social media campaign. ($5,000 CAD) 

Finalists will receive full travel support to attend the Ambition 2035 Summit in Ottawa from May 21-23, where they will pitch their ideas directly to global investors and industry leaders. As well, they will receive expert coaching to strengthen investment pitches in advance of the Summit, and featured promotion across Canada’s Ocean Supercluster social channels as they compete for the People’s Choice Award. 

Applications open on February 25, 2025, with the application deadline on March 21, 2025. Finalists will be announced on April 25, 2025. 

To apply or learn more, visit: https://oceansupercluster.ca/ambition-2035-awards/

-30- 

Media Contacts    
Nancy Andrews    
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster    
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca    

About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster 

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 100 projects which will deliver more than 220 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca    

Quotes 

“Canada has an opportunity to lead in the global ocean economy, and the Ambition 2035 Awards is our way of spotlighting the innovators who are making this possible,” says Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. “This initiative will bring visibility, investment, and growth opportunities to some of the most promising companies in the sector, while enabling overall growth of our ocean economy in line with Ambition 2035.” 

For Immediate Release   
December 12, 2024   

(Ottawa, ON) – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) together with the National Ambition 2035 Ocean AI Steering Committee launched of The Future of Ocean AI: A Strategic Approach for Canada insights report. The OSC is excited to share the Strategic Approach insights report in advance of the full report in January. 

Through Ambition 2035, the potential of AI to address the ocean sector’s unique challenges was recognized and led to the creation of an Ocean AI Steering Committee. Comprised of professionals in industry, academia, and government, the Committee developed a strategic approach in partnership with the OSC to assess barriers to AI adoption in the ocean industry, provide recommendations for growth, increase global competitiveness, and support the ocean industry’s five times growth ambition overall.  

Informed by market research and interviews with key stakeholders across Canada, The Future of Ocean AI: A Strategic Approach for Canada aims to stimulate the ocean economy by promoting the responsible adoption of AI in the ocean sector. Canada’s leadership in AI positions us to lead the world in ocean AI innovation. By collaborating with ocean leaders and tackling key barriers, we can unlock transformative opportunities that will shape the future of both AI and the blue economy. 

Key strategies outlined in the insights report to overcome adoption barriers include skills development, enhancing data management, strengthening technology infrastructure, increasing investment, and fostering collaboration.  These strategies involve comprehensive execution, including:  

Helping companies understand practical AI use cases by showcasing real-world applications and success stories to demonstrate the value and impact of these investments.  
Forming collaboration networks and partnerships to facilitate data sharing and collective problem-solving. Organizations like the OSC can play a pivotal role in connecting various actors within the ocean sector, promoting a collaborative environment. 
Enabling sustained investment from government grants, private investors, and public-private partnerships. This means streamlining approval processes for SMEs to access funding, reducing administrative obstacles, and making it easier for smaller firms to secure resources. 
Providing tangible guidance around data structures and technology adaptation for the ocean sector, including working towards digital readiness by supporting data literacy, infrastructure, integration, accessibility, governance, and security.

The full report, The Future of Ocean AI: A Strategic Approach for Canada, will launch in January 2025. 

The global ocean economy is set to outpace the growth of the broader economy by 20 per cent by 2030. Through Ambition 2035, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, together with the country’s ocean community, have set a five-times growth ambition for the ocean sector by 2035. Investment in ocean AI is essential to achieving this growth. 

-30-  

Media Contacts   
Nancy Andrews   
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster   
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca   

About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster    

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 100 projects which will deliver more than 220 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca  

Quotes  

“As Canada seeks to secure its AI advantage, we need to focus on overcoming barriers to adopting AI in the ocean industry. The growth of the global ocean economy is set to outpace that of the broader economy by 20% by 2030. Investment in ocean AI is essential to achieving this growth. This report outlines critical strategies for identifying potential barriers to stimulating the ocean economy and leading the world in ocean AI innovation.” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry 

“Canada’s ocean sector has a 5X growth potential that can help transform our economy, creating more jobs and positioning Canada as a leader in ocean innovation. Overcoming key challenges like access to funding, tailored AI education, and access to data are imperative to achieving this ambition through greater AI adoption. We are thrilled to put forth this strategic approach as a step toward fulfilling Canada’s full potential as an ocean nation.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster 

For Immediate Release  
October 3, 2024  

(Ottawa, ON) – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) launched a new research report today titled “Careers in an Evolving Ocean Industry: Perceptions of Access and Opportunity Among Youth and Young Professionals.” The report highlights findings from an OSC-commissioned study gauging youth and young professional perceptions and attitudes towards careers in the ocean industry. 

The study builds on previous work by SES Workforce Research & Consulting, which looked at self-reported data from youth aged 11-15 from Canada’s maritime provinces. This new study, led by Dr. Sherry Scully, is the first national study of its kind focused on youth aged 18-35. 

The global ocean economy is set to outpace the growth of the broader economy by 20 per cent by 2030. Through Ambition 2035, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, together with the country’s ocean community, have set a five-times growth ambition within the context of this growth, which also represents a further increased demand for talent in ocean. 

The report aims to offer insight into how the ocean industry can better attract young, diverse talent, as well as experienced talent with transferrable skills, through gauging youth and young professional perceptions around ocean careers. This includes how perceptions have been shaped by awareness, proximity to the industry, ocean STEM education, and social narrative, and how these variables translate to attracting and discouraging new talent, pathways and barriers to entry, and opportunities for building awareness of ocean careers. The findings will also enable strategies for building the capacity, competency, and flexibility of the ocean workforce. 

The report notes that while perceptions of the ocean industry are generally positive, lack of awareness around the full scope of careers available in the ocean sector as well as the pathways to those opportunities is holding back individual interest in an ocean sector career. Further, that awareness is correlated with individual proximity to current ocean industry professionals, which is also a key factor in perceptions of the ocean industry. To that end, there is considerable opportunity to improve awareness and education in ocean sciences, and important considerations for industry when developing attraction and retention strategies given the key drivers identified for how youth and young workers make career choices. 

Other key findings include: 

There is a need to build awareness of transferrable skills among both employees and job seekers to attract the cross-disciplinary expertise the industry needs; 
Underrepresented workers reported greater interest in ocean-related careers and more optimism in accessing those careers; 
Responses demonstrate strong optimism that careers in the ocean industry can effectuate positive environmental change, and that it is not solely focused on harvesting natural resources; 
The declared highest-ranking drivers were found to be: providing financial security and stability, having a career that is personally interesting, and contributing to a sustainable future.  

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster has released the report publicly today to share insights and help inform the workforce development activity happening in ocean amongst members and partners across the country. Read the full report here. 

-30- 

Media Contacts  
Nancy Andrews  
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster  
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca  

About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster   

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 100 projects which will deliver more than 220 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca 

Quotes 

“Canada’s ocean sector has a 5X growth potential that can help transform our economy, creating more good jobs, and positioning Canada as a leader in ocean innovation. We will not achieve that ambition without a well-skilled, diverse workforce that is engaged in a broad range of exciting jobs that are needed to support that innovation and growth. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to partner with Dr. Sherry Scully on this work, recognizing it serves as the foundation we can build strategies and our activities around how to best create awareness, excitement, and pathways to careers in the ocean sector that will attract the talent we need while also removing barriers for under-represented groups who may have not otherwise considered a career in ocean.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster 

“This research is so important as we are competing for talent with every other industry, and we need to understand how we can catch the interest of good talent – how can we make the ocean industry stand out when young people are contemplating which career path to pursue? The timeline for building a talent pipeline is shortening, and it’s not just about building capacity. The ocean industry needs a workforce that is capable, reliable, stable, skilled, diverse, and adaptable. That’s not a small ask – but it is doable.”  – Sherry Scully, Director of Workforce Development for The PIER at the Seaport 

For Immediate Release 
September 26, 2024  

(HALIFAX, NS) – During the OCEANS 2024 conference in Halifax, NS, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Ocean Service (NOS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize their collaboration and advance shared priorities in the sustainable development of the ocean economy. 

With shared borders spanning three oceans and the Great Lakes, close collaboration between ocean industries in the U.S. and Canada is imperative. Formalizing the relationship between OSC and NOAA means improving the coordination around joint objectives including convening industry, academia and governments to develop greater connections in both countries, sharing knowledge and technical information, and collectively supporting ocean workforce development. 

This partnership will support the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, while contributing to the health of the marine and coastal ecosystem. These joint activities will also work to grow the societal, economic, and environmental benefits of the ocean economy. 

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster looks forward to a productive and active partnership with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the benefits it will yield for the ocean economy and the health of the planet. 

-30- 

Media Contacts 
Nancy Andrews 
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster 
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca 

About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster  

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 100 projects which will deliver more than 220 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca 

About NOAA

Climate, weather, and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict our changing environment, from the deep sea to outer space, and to manage and conserve America’s coastal and marine resources. See how NOAA science, services, and stewardship benefit your community: Visit noaa.gov for our latest news and features, and join us on social media. 

Quotes 

“This memorandum of understanding is an important step in fostering and strengthening collaboration between Canada and the United States in addressing ocean challenges,” says the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “The Ocean Cluster is helping to drive transformative solutions in our oceans, leveraging innovation and working with like-minded countries to build a stronger, more sustainable and more prosperous ocean economy in Canada.” 

“From tackling climate challenges to transition of energy to food security to how we move our goods, the ocean is at the heart of addressing some of the biggest shared global challenges we face today, while also creating significant opportunity for workforce development and economic growth in the process,” said Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. “Today’s formal agreement between Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and NOAA represents a joint commitment to working together in context of this opportunity, increasing collaboration between Canada and the US in the ocean sector, and outcomes with a greater reach than either partner could achieve alone.” 

“We’re excited about this collaboration to join Canada’s Ocean Supercluster in support of the Ocean Enterprise. It’s great to be joining forces across the border with our Canadian colleagues and build upon their proven success working with technology clusters to collectively advance ocean science and technology to meet societal needs.” – Carl Gouldman , NOAA’s U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Office Director

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announces $2.2m project to optimize maritime supply chain operations and reduce emissions

(Ottawa, ON) Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) announced the Optimizing Maritime Supply Chain Operations Project to establish real-time carbon emissions monitoring and mitigation tools, integrated with advanced data analytics and tracking systems to align with sustainability goals. The project will enhance maritime supply chain efficiency, sustainability, and security, aligning with environmental goals by monitoring and reducing emissions.

Led by OceanSync in Halifax, NS, a key innovation of the new OSC project is the development of a Modal Optimization Tool (MOT) to create a resilient cargo distribution network which considers the CO2e associated with various route/modal choice, as well as modelling that includes climate change-related weather challenges and cybersecurity measures. The incorporation of real-time marine weather data into the risk models and the use of machine learning for dynamic risk analysis represent technological advancements in safety and risk management. The project’s risk framework will improve safety, positioning Canada as a technology leader and attracting international collaboration.

Together with partners BlueNode by Everstream Analytics and Bespoke Global Logistics & Strategies, this project has a total value of almost $2.2 million where Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is contributing almost $875,000 and the balance of funding coming from project partners.

Global port traffic, exceeding $4 trillion and handling 90% of global trade, faces challenges in reliability, particularly in maritime shipping where on-time arrival rarely exceeds 60%. This discrepancy prompts many organizations, especially those reliant on timeliness, to opt for air freight despite its higher carbon intensity and costs. The root cause lies in effective decision-making rather than transport efficacy. To foster growth in maritime shipping, an effective decision tool is imperative, one that considers speed, reliability, costs, carbon intensity, and external factors like weather and labor relations. The Optimizing Maritime Supply Chain Operations project aims to revolutionize logistics by introducing a Modal Optimization Tool (MOT) to enhance supply chain agility and resilience.

Quotes

“Supply chains are a crucial part of any business and essential for the health of our global economy, yet they face ever-increasing risk from natural disasters, geopolitical factors, and other disruptions,” said Jon Bovit, VP of Public Sector and Trade at BlueNode by Everstream Analytics. “Together with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, we’re taking supply chain and trade intelligence further to enable global organizations to understand how to get their raw materials and products to customers safely and quickly while optimizing for speed, security, and sustainability.”

About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved almost 100 projects which will deliver more than 220 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca

About BlueNode by Everstream Analytics

The world’s best supply chains run on Everstream Analytics. Through the application of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to its vast proprietary dataset, Everstream delivers the predictive insights and risk analytics businesses need for a smarter, more autonomous and sustainable supply chain. Everstream’s proven solution integrates with procurement, logistics and business continuity platforms generating the complete information, sharper analysis, and accurate predictions required to turn the supply chain into a business asset. To learn more, visit https://www.everstream.ai/.

Media Contacts:
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca