Maritime decarbonization: what will the new €23 million fund be used for? – Economy

Good news for project leaders and Breton start-ups on the occasion, this Thursday in Paris, of the first edition of “Thursdays of Maritime Innovation”. In addition to the envelope of 300 million euros that the government wishes to devote at least to the subjects of decarbonization subsidies in the maritime sector, Hervé Berville, Secretary of State for the Sea, announced the launch of the “Ocean Impact Capital” of 23 million euros out of the 70 million euros in the long term for investment in the maritime economy.

“This fund is one of the building blocks of the France Mer 2030 State and France Nation Verte strategy to strengthen public support for maritime innovation”, recalled Hervé Berville, in front of two hundred players in the sector, shipowners , equipment manufacturers, construction sites, start-ups.

About twenty companies financed

It is Go Capital, the investment fund management company in the Greater West, based in Rennes, which is behind this new fund with state operators who initially devote 23 million euros from the Banque des Territoires, up to 20 million euros, and from Ademe, which adds 3 million euros. The rest is financed by the Banque Populaire Grand Ouest, Arkéa, EDF and also the Pays de la Loire region.

There is no time to waste in green industrialization

“This fund will make it possible to finance, only in France in the spirit of a positive impact on our environment, a good twenty companies and start-ups over the next four years”, explained Jérôme Gueret, CEO of GoCapital.

“Dealing with the lack of financing in the maritime sector”

“We have been working on the emergence of a particular French problem for more than two years, which is the lack of funding for the maritime sector in the field of innovation. We are going to provide our funding in the protection of the oceans, sustainable development, decarbonization and also aquaculture, smart ports, electricity production, new energies, depollution or gray water,” he explained.

“Beyond the issue of visibility on the part of investors passionate about the sea, it is basically that of territorialisation which is essential, estimated Hervé Berville. It is necessary that all the actors of the maritime go to bother Go Capital once again. There is no time to waste in green industrialization. »