PRESS RELEASE

From Monaco to New York:

Financing Maritime Innovation Takes the Lead in Driving Port-City Decarbonization

Paris, September 2025 – After the success of its high-level working session on June 6 at the Yacht Club de Monaco, the international initiative Financing Maritime Innovation and Infrastructure for Climate and Ocean is now setting sail toward New York. This new phase marks the structuring of financial mechanisms and concrete investment pathways for port-city ecosystems worldwide.

From vision to implementation

The June 6 gathering in Monaco confirmed both the urgency and feasibility of aligning finance, innovation, and infrastructure to accelerate the decarbonization of maritime and urban-port ecosystems. It brought together decision-makers from global ports, financial institutions, corporates, and innovators, demonstrating the appetite for systemic collaboration.

The global stakes are significant: today’s critical infrastructure includes over 17,000 ports worldwide, serving as gateways for the movement of goods, people, and services (World Economic Forum, 2025). At the same time, cities generate more than 80% of global GDP and concentrate the majority of private sector jobs (World Bank, 2023). With 40% of the world’s population living within 100 km of a coast, including 11% in low-elevation coastal zones below 10 meters (UN-Habitat/UNDESA, 2023), the port-city nexus is both an essential economic powerhouse and the frontline of climate adaptation.

Among the exclusive gathering of over 100 decision-makers and leaders were Ineos Energy, NatPower, Republic Bank, Costa Crociere, Plurimi, Catalytic Finance, and leading ports including San Diego, Bordeaux, Riga, Genoa, and Kribi, alongside investors and innovators shaping new collaboration pathways.

In the wake of this milestone, the initiative is moving into action:

A dedicated financing framework for port-city ecosystems is being structured, with expressions of interest already received from leading financial partners.
Four innovative port projects are currently being assessed under this framework, each designed to strengthen local ecosystem development strategies.
A booklet of insights has been published, highlighting financial models, flagship projects, and innovation pathways, and serving as a roadmap for scaling investable solutions. The booklet can be accessed here.

Insights featured in the publication

Structured around three main pillars, Finance, Innovation, and Infrastructure, the booklet offers perspectives from across the ecosystem:

Finance: how to mobilize capital and structure investment-ready opportunities for the urban-port ecosystem.
Innovation: spotlighting a selection of companies developing solutions in energy, navigation, water management, biodiversity protection and digital transformation.
Infrastructure: insights from ports and cities on driving decarbonization, building resilience, and rethinking coastal infrastructure.
Collaborative pathways: recommendations for aligning public and private actors to deliver systemic change.

A growing momentum

“In Monaco on June 6, we demonstrated that adopting an ecosystemic approach makes it possible to design investment opportunities that create significant value with multiple stakeholders, and private investors step in. We are now entering a decisive phase where the first projects and dedicated instruments are taking shape. This is the beginning of a tangible pipeline of investment-ready solutions in the blue economy, driving systemic change,” said Géraldine Andrieux, CEO of BLUMORPHO, the innovation strategy firm leading the initiative with AIVP and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

Adding the voice of the Foundation, which will also be present at New York Climate Week in September, Romain Ciarlet, Executive Director of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, emphasized:

“Protecting the ocean, preserving biodiversity, and strengthening climate resilience are central to the Foundation’s mission. To succeed, we must mobilize both public commitment and private capital, and foster collaboration across all actors. Supporting initiatives like Financing Maritime Innovation allows us to structure impactful projects and accelerate the transition toward a sustainable and inclusive blue economy.”

Next milestone: New York

The Foundation’s presence during Climate Week anticipates the next milestone for the initiative: the AIVP World Conference Cities & Ports in New York, November 18–21, 2025. Building on the Monaco momentum, this annual gathering will provide a platform to present the first structured financing framework for port-city ecosystems, showcase early project pipelines, and further mobilize international financial actors.

About Financing Maritime Innovation

Financing Maritime Innovation and Infrastructure for Climate and Ocean is an innovation program led by BLUMORPHO, in partnership with AIVP and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The initiative is dedicated to accelerating the financing and deployment of innovative solutions across ports, maritime infrastructure, and coastal ecosystems, bringing together public authorities, corporates, startups, and investors.

About BLUMORPHO

BLUMORPHO is a boutique innovation strategy firm and ecosystem-driven platform dedicated to accelerating the deployment of impactful solutions and projects. Positioned at the intersection of complex markets and high-growth opportunities, BLUMORPHO bridges emerging innovations, market needs, and financing pathways. The company designs and operates innovation programs and events to unlock untapped value, enable adoption at scale, and structure investment-ready projects in collaboration with strategic financial partners.

About AIVP

The International Association of Port Cities (AIVP) is the leading global network promoting sustainable port city development. Founded over 35 years ago by major European port cities, AIVP brings together nearly 200 members in 45 countries, from local governments and port authorities to businesses. Through its Agenda 2030, AIVP supports integrated strategies that align climate action, biodiversity, mobility, and social inclusion, positioning port cities as key players in the global transition.

About the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

Founded by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Foundation is a global non-profit organisation, committed to progressing Planetary Health for present and future generations. Through its 13 ongoing initiatives and projects supported, the Foundation addresses the pressing issues of climate change, ocean preservation, biodiversity protection, water resources management and deforestation.

Press Contact: Marine Hamelin – Head of Blue Economy, BLUMORPHO

marine@blumorpho.com

blueeconomy@blumoropho.com