Through a Memorandum of Understanding – signed during European Maritime Day 2026 in Limassol – the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) and the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) are joining forces to strengthen innovation, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration in marine research.
The Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) and the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ – Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee), signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the European Maritime Day (EMD) 2026 celebrations; the European Union’s flagship annual event dedicated to maritime affairs and the sustainable blue economy.
The agreement marks an important milestone in strengthening long-term scientific and institutional collaboration between Cyprus and Belgium in the fields of marine and maritime research and innovation. The MoU builds upon the successful cooperation already established between the two Institutes within the framework of the AXOLOTL project, funded under the Horizon Europe Twinning programme.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mr Zacharias Siokouros, CMMI’s CEO, and Prof. Dr Jan Mees, general director of VLIZ, in the presence of representatives and collaborators from both institutions.
This partnership aims to foster cooperation across a broad range of strategic marine and maritime domains, including marine observation and monitoring systems, marine biodiversity and environmental DNA (eDNA), marine robotics and autonomous systems, digital twins of the ocean, marine data infrastructures, climate change adaptation, sustainable blue economy development, and science-to-policy interfaces.
The agreement also promotes scientific staff mobility, joint participation in European and international research initiatives, exchange of expertise and best practices, and collaboration on marine research infrastructures and innovation ecosystems.
The signature of the MoU on the sidelines of the European Maritime Day 2026 highlights the shared commitment of both Institutes to strengthening European cooperation in support of ocean knowledge, sustainable blue economy development, and international marine research partnerships, in support of the EU Ocean Pact.
About CMMI
The Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) is Cyprus’ Centre of Excellence for marine and maritime research, technology development, and innovation, established in 2019 with EU and National Funding. Driven by the needs of industry and society, CMMI is focused on transforming the marine and maritime sectors and on providing some of the urgent solutions required to the global challenges.
It has nine Research and Innovation Centres that are involved in marine technology, marine robotics, maritime digitalisation, marine observation, marine and coastal ecosystems, marine biotechnology and aquaculture, the maritime human element, marine cultural heritage, ocean governance and international cooperation. More on: www.cmmi.blue