Next Wave Innovation in the Floating Economy

The various industries encompassed by the Floating Economy, have long underpinned broad global availability of energy, goods, and raw materials.

Recently, we were pleased to announce Dr. Beatriz Canamary as founding Chair of the Floating Institute Committee on Innovation and Workforce Development. Today, we are excited to share an opportunity to hear from Dr. Canamary about her own research and innovation methodology.

Join us September 16 for the Next Wave Innovation Sprint Masterclass. Registration is limited, so reserve your spot now.

The various industries encompassed by the Floating Economy, have long underpinned broad global availability of energy, goods, and raw materials. In addition to their foundational importance, floating industries are among the most complex, crossing many (sometimes overlapping) legal boundaries and regulatory jurisdictions.

This complexity poses particular challenges for executives and entrepreneurs alike. For these and other reasons, the Floating Institute believes that innovation must be a systems driven discipline.

A leading authority on systematic innovation in maritime, Beatriz is also Adjunct Professor of Logistics & Sustainability at Florida Polytechnic University, Founder of Next Wave Systems™, and COO of SeaTrain Technology.

During her career, Beatriz has founded and built multiple successful companies in the maritime sector, and advised many others. Her work with The Floating Institute is focused on introducing innovation frameworks and advocating a future-focused approach to workforce development.

Innovation frameworks serve as vital scaffolding for cultivating a resilient and future-ready maritime workforce. In an industry characterized by rapid technological shifts and heightened environmental demands, the ability to anticipate and adapt is no longer optional—it is mission-critical.

Beatriz’s work emphasizes structured innovation not just as a strategy, but as a mindset that enables continuous learning, interdisciplinary thinking, and scalable solutions. By integrating predictive analytics, systems thinking, and scenario planning into workforce development, these frameworks empower leaders to identify emerging skill gaps, align training with evolving technologies, and foster cross-functional collaboration.

Ultimately, this approach prepares the next generation of maritime professionals to navigate complexity with confidence—driving sustainable growth and competitive advantage in the Floating Economy.

The Floating Institute Committee on Innovation and Workforce Development is pioneering this essential work throughout the Floating Economy. If you are interested in supporting the committee directly or learning more about our ongoing initiatives, please contact Dr. Beatriz Canamary or Peter Robbins.

- TFI