At the core of European Maritime Day is a 2-day conference. High-level plenary sessions including inspirational speakers, leadership exchanges and stakeholders’ workshops attract experts and stakeholders from across Europe and beyond.
European Maritime Day 2022 took place as a hybrid event in Ravenna on 19 and 20 May 2022.
This year’s main theme was ‘Sustainable blue economy for green recovery’. Moreover, this year EMD hosted the EU4Ocean Summit which focused on Ocean and Climate, Food from the Ocean and Healthy and Clean Oceans.
Thematic sessions
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries organised 4 thematic sessions at EMD 2022.
Pitch stages sessions
External interlocutors presented ongoing projects in a pitch stage format, specifically in relation to the maritime sector and to the transition towards a sustainable blue economy.
A special connection ties Ravenna with the sea. Founded more than 2000 years ago, Emperor Augustus chose it as the main harbour of his imperial fleet. Today, it is one of the most important ports on the Adriatic and a gateway to the East.
The grandeur of Ravenna is evident in its city centre, preserving the heritage of the Western Roman Empire, of Theodoric’s reign and of the Byzantine Empire. The city counts eight UNESCO World Heritage monuments, and it safeguards the the tomb of Dante Alighieri.
The vicinity to the Adriatic makes it a suggestive touristic destination and the ideal place to discover the nature.
Ravenna is a town of waters, connected with the sea by canals, with rivers, marshlands and groundwater surrounding the city. The water-related heritage of Ravenna includes environmental as well as built assets, ranging from archaeological finds to contemporary industrial areas and buildings.
Water, seaside and nature represent the essential ingredients of Ravenna economy, which is based on the port and connected activities, agriculture, but also - and above all – tourism.
Ravenna is in the northeast of Italy, about 75 km from Bologna, the region’s capital. A well-connected network of motorways, railways and air routes (Bologna, Forlì and Rimini) makes it easy to reach the city, and from here to move across the surrounding territory. Thanks to the Candiano canal, site of the port, the city is directly connected with the Adriatic. With a cruise terminal as well as one of the widest ports in the High Adriatic (MarinaRa), Ravenna is the water gateway of Emillia-Romagna.
There are many options for accommodation in Ravenna: hotels, bed and breakfast, historical villas.
Pala De Andrè
V.le Europa 1
8121 Ravenna
Ravenna organised a rich program of events, performances, experiences and guided tours. The guests of the conference enjoyed a long weekend dedicated to the city of Art and to the Seaside.
Offsetting of emissions
The European Commission applies measures to ensure that the events it organises or co-organises are as green and sustainable as possible. A specific target for EMD is to reduce its CO2 footprint by offsetting the emissions via green projects delivering value for the environment.
CO2 emissions for EMD 2022 in Ravenna have been be calculated to 132 tons. To offset these emissions EMD has organised the planting of trees in the wider area of Ravenna by a local NGO in collaboration with the City of Ravenna.
EMD TV
Watch interviews with maritime stakeholders and speakers at EMD 2022, highlights from the conference and the city of Ravenna, and thematic videos on the EMD TV. Check the EMD TV web page by the end of May!