MTIC Launches First-Ever "Blue Tech 2026 Ocean Technology Day"; Showcasing Taiwan's Innovation Strength in Marine Technology and Offshore Renewable Energy

The Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC) hosted "Blue Tech 2026 Ocean Technology Day" on May 27 at the Marine Technology Industrial Innovation Center (MTIC) in Kaohsiung. The event marked the first large-scale marine technology exhibition since MTIC's establishment. The opening ceremony was jointly officiated by Deputy Director General Chung-Hsien Chen of the Energy Administration, MOEA, and MIRDC Chairperson Chia-Ju Liu, highlighting developments in marine technology, offshore wind O&M, and emerging ocean energy industries.

The event attracted more than 120 industry professionals and representatives from over 50 organizations spanning industry, academia, and research institutions. Guided facility tours and live demonstrations were arranged to provide participants with firsthand insights into MTIC's training infrastructure, research and development capabilities, testing and validation facilities, and real-world application scenarios, further fostering cross-sector collaboration.

In the opening remarks, MIRDC Chairperson Chia-Ju Liu noted that the rapid advancement of quantum computing and AI is driving demand for high-efficiency thermal management, waste heat recovery, and energy reutilization technologies. She also highlighted the future development of integrated autonomous systems combining unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs), and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). These coordinated platforms are expected to support marine monitoring, patrol operations, maintenance activities, and mine countermeasure missions while leveraging Taiwan's aerospace expertise and talent development capabilities.

Wei-Te Chen, Director at MIRDC, shared that since its launch in 2021, MTIC has undergone more than 5 years of development and has evolved into a comprehensive marine technology innovation hub integrating talent cultivation, technology development, testing, and validation services. During the event, MTIC publicly showcased its overall capabilities and R&D achievements for the first time.

The innovation zone comprises the Innovation R&D Center, Offshore Engineering Center, and Training and Certification Center. Notably, the Offshore Engineering Center has established Taiwan’s first deep-water testing basin, measuring 36 meters in length, 30 meters in width, and 10 meters in depth, providing validation services for offshore engineering and marine technology equipment. This year, MTIC will integrate resources from MIRDC, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), and the Ship and Ocean Industries R&D Center (SOIC) to support testing and evaluation of floating offshore wind turbines, floating solar systems, wave energy technologies, and hybrid ocean-use applications. These efforts are expected to strengthen industrial innovation and establish MTIC as a key platform for Taiwan's marine technology and green energy sectors.

The Offshore Engineering Center has established Taiwan's first deep-water testing basin, measuring 36 meters in length, 30 meters in width, and 10 meters in depth.

Wave-resistance testing and mooring-line tension testing for floating PV systems (left) | An observation window provides a clear view of the underwater dynamic behavior of the mooring lines (right)

Chi Wu, Deputy Director of the Taiwan Ocean Research Institute (TORI) under the National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs), is the first organization to establish operations within the new MTIC facility. As Taiwan's leading ocean science research institution, TORI supports national marine research initiatives while leveraging NARLabs' interdisciplinary resources in high-performance computing, cybersecurity, semiconductor instrumentation, and robotics to advance large-scale marine research platforms.

In addition to operating the R/V Legend, Taiwan's largest and most comprehensively equipped oceanographic research vessel, TORI possesses a range of advanced underwater exploration systems capable of supporting seabed geological surveys, deep-sea exploration, carbon sequestration assessments, and marine ecosystem research.

The event also featured a keynote presentation by Hsien-Ting Lee, Operations Technology and Auxiliary Systems Engineering Manager at Ørsted, who shared insights into emerging O&M technologies and innovative applications in offshore wind farms. The session explored how farshore wind projects are managed under complex marine conditions, highlighting the use of data analytics and predictive maintenance technologies to continuously enhance wind farm efficiency and operational performance.

Backed by Ørsted's global O&M network and supported by a local operations and maintenance team of nearly 100 professionals, the Greater Changhua Offshore Wind Farms have maintained stable power generation throughout 2 years of commercial operation, demonstrating strong operational resilience despite experiencing multiple typhoons and earthquakes.

Fugro IOVTEC emphasized that geotechnical investigation is the cornerstone of offshore wind development. Although site investigation typically accounts for only around 1% of a wind farm's total development cost, it directly influences turbine siting, foundation design, subsea cable routing, and overall investment risk assessment, making it a critical determinant in advancing a project into full-scale development.

Established as a joint venture between International Ocean Group (IOG) and Dutch geodata specialist Fugro, Fugro IOVTEC provides comprehensive services spanning site investigation, engineering design consultancy, and installation support. Leveraging the Group's integrated capabilities in marine fleets, shipbuilding and maintenance, workforce training, and offshore engineering, the company delivers end-to-end solutions throughout the entire lifecycle of offshore wind projects.

An exhibition area brought together 8 resident organizations within the innovation zone, including TORI (國研院海洋中心), MACA Technology (鎂迦科技), Fugro IOVTEC (國海輝固), First Energy (風元自能), Ropers Enterprises (巨山興業), Thunder Tiger (雷虎科技), and PSD PTE (海神水下事業). Exhibits showcased a diverse range of innovations, including underwater systems, autonomous vehicles, offshore wind O&M services, and marine engineering applications. The event also welcomed external exhibitors, including Smartec Scientific (慧技科學) and EZaquaculture Company (豐漁水產養殖), expanding opportunities for marine technology deployment and supply chain collaboration.

PSD PTE conducts "Smart Lifebuoy" maritime rescue demonstration at swimming pool facility

For the first time, MTIC opened its facilities to the public through guided site tours in the afternoon session. Participants explored the Offshore Engineering Center, training facilities, and offshore training pool, where demonstrations included wave-generation experiments, floating solar wave-resistance testing, offshore survival and working-at-height training systems, and a multifunctional autonomous surface vessel designed for offshore operations.

Among the highlights was a live demonstration by PSD PTE (海神水下事業) of its Smart Lifebuoy, an intelligent marine rescue device featuring automatic GPS positioning, self-righting capability, rapid deployment, remote operation up to 800 meters, and autonomous return-to-home functionality. Once commercialized at scale, the technology is expected to significantly improve rescue success rates while enhancing the safety of rescue personnel.

Through the inaugural Blue Tech 2026 Ocean Technology Day, MTIC demonstrated its strengths in talent development, technological innovation, and testing and validation services, while connecting resources across government, industry, academia, and research communities. The event further strengthened collaboration in marine technology, offshore wind O&M, and emerging ocean energy sectors.

Looking ahead, MTIC will continue integrating resources from domestic research institutions and industry partners to advance key technologies, including floating offshore wind, floating solar power, wave energy, and intelligent maritime systems. By accelerating the commercialization of marine technology innovations, MTIC aims to establish itself as a leading innovation hub for Taiwan's marine technology and green energy industries, enhancing international competitiveness and supporting the nation's long-term energy transition goals.

Photos& Data Source: EnergyOMNI｜Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC)