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Programme ESA Space for Maritime Security workshop – Lisbon – Public

 

7 September 2026

Arrival of participants and registration (badges distribution)

14:30 – 15:40 Welcome addresses & Introductory words

Satellites play a vital role in advancing maritime security operations by providing comprehensive and reliable surveillance capabilities, helping mitigation of threats and challenges affecting both the Baltic and overseas territories. They enable potential real-time permanent monitoring of vast ocean areas, which is otherwise challenging with conventional methods.

• Welcome address by TBC
• Welcome address by TBC
• Keynote address by EUSPA
• Keynote address by TBC
• Introductory words by Pascal Legai, Senior Security Adviser to ESA DG, DG-OS, ESA

 

Presentation by Pedro Lourenco, Head of Unit Surveillance in Department Safety, Security and Surveillance, EMSA

Panel

Moderator: Isabelle Duvaux-Bechon, Consultant on Security / defence projects for ESA Senior Security Coordinator

This panel will review specific challenges faced by the Baltic Sea European neighbouring countries and how the maritime domain awareness is key for the security of the region. Speakers will address how space assets contribute to resilience and informed decision-making against jamming, spoofing, cyber threats, and hybrid risks in an increasingly complex security environment.

Panelists:

• Otto Tabuns, Founding Director and member of the BSF Board, Baltic Security Foundation 
• Louise Souverbie, Researcher and Head of the Europe, EU, NATO Programme on political developments in European countries, IRIS
• Breda Bunič, Senior Analyst, European Centre of Excellence for countering Hybrid threats 
• Olivier Surly, Senior Director Europe, Business Development, Geoinformation, MDA

Presentation by TBC

Presentation by TBC

Panel

Moderator: TBC

Discussions will address the added value of satellite-based Earth Observation, PNT, Connectivity for vessel detection, and cooperation between civilian and defence actors. The panel will highlight the role of resilient GNSS services, cybersecurity measures, and user perspectives from maritime authorities and commercial operators.

Panelists:

• Jean Luc Trullemans, Head of European Space Security & Education Centre, ESA
• TBC
• TBC
• TBC

Questions from the audience

8 September 2026

Arrival of participants

14:30 – 15:40 Welcome addresses & Introductory words

• Welcome back by Pascal Legai, Senior Security Adviser to ESA DG, DG-OS, ESA
• Keynote address by Shanaka Jayasekara, Head of Office, UNODC Malta
• Keynote address by Rear Admiral Nuno António de Noronha Bragança, Coordinator of the Atlantic Center

14:30 – 14:40 Presentation by Dr. Luca Vincenzo Maria Salamone, Director General, Italian Space Agency

Panel

Moderator: Bruno Reynaud de Sousa, Professor, University of Minho, Portugal

This panel will present challenges specific to overseas territories with vast maritime zones and limited national physical surveillance capacity and focus on the use of satellite technologies to detect, monitor, and prevent illicit maritime activities, including illegal fishing, trafficking, and sanctions evasion (dark fleet). Speakers will discuss operational use cases combining Earth Observation, AIS data, and analytics tools, VDES, as well as coordination between European agencies and local authorities.

Panelists:

• Sven Tahon, Specialist Officer Surveillance Technologies, EFCA
• TBC
• Diogo Silva, Analyst, Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics) – MAOC (N), Joint Operations Coordination Centre (JOCC)
• TBC

Presentation by TBC

Presentation by Estefania Blanch, Earth Observation Project Manager, IEEC

Panel

Moderator: Jean-Marc Astorg, Senior Director BLC Middle East and former CNES Director of Strategy 

This session will address how space-based services support rapid response to maritime and coastal crises, including natural disasters, extreme weather events, and environmental incidents. Discussions will highlight early warning systems, satellite communications, and real-time situational awareness tools that assist civil protection authorities and emergency responders. The panel will also consider the growing impact of climate change on island and coastal regions and the role of space in strengthening preparedness and resilience.

Panelists:

• Bruno Carvalho, Director, Ilex Space
  
• Dan Isaac, Director of Sales, Marketing, Applications and Services, OHB LuxSpace
• Nader Alagha, Senior Communications Systems Engineer, Arctic Ocean Surveillance (AOS) Projects Manager, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, ESA-ESTEC
• Unseenlabs

 

Presentation by TBC

Presentation by Nil Angli, Business Application and Partnerships Officer, ESA CIC

Questions from the audience