Six universities from four countries have joined forces to establish AL MAR, a new alliance dedicated to marine research, education and the sustainable blue economy, with SEA-EU as a strategic ally.
On 17 September 2026, the Alliance of Universities of the Sea of Latin America and the Caribbean (AL MAR) was officially launched in Santa Marta, Colombia, during InnovAzul Caribe 2026, an international event held under the motto “El Mar Que Nos Une” (The Sea That Unites Us). Rectors and representatives of six universities from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil signed the founding Agreement of Intent, marking the beginning of a new initiative to strengthen academic cooperation, scientific research and sustainable development across Latin America’s maritime regions. The ceremony was attended by Casimiro Mantell, Rector of the University of Cádiz, which coordinates the SEA-EU Alliance, highlighting the growing connections between European and Latin American coastal universities.
Building bridges between two continents
Inspired by the experience of SEA-EU, AL MAR brings together universities that share a commitment to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing coastal and maritime territories.
The six founding institutions are organised into three geographical nodes:
- Caribbean: Universidad del Magdalena, Universidad de Cartagena and Universidad Sergio Arboleda (Colombia).
- Pacific: ESPOL (Ecuador) and Universidad Científica del Sur (Peru).
- South Atlantic: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande – FURG (Brazil).
SEA-EU, CEI·MAR and CEMarin accompany the new alliance as strategic allies, supporting its development and encouraging international cooperation. During the first meeting of AL MAR partners, held at Universidad del Magdalena, representatives discussed the alliance’s governance, priorities and future activities. Drawing on SEA-EU’s experience, particular emphasis was placed on consolidating the new partnership and establishing concrete results before expanding its membership.
An ambitious roadmap for education and research
AL MAR has already outlined a work plan for 2026–2027, focusing on three priority scientific and educational areas: ocean modelling and digital twins, molecular biology and genetics applied to ocean regeneration, and blue literacy. Its first initiatives include the launch of the Semilla Azul AL MAR MOOC in November 2026, developed under the guidance of blue economy thinker Gunter Pauli, followed by a summer school for trainers, a catalogue of microcredentials and a student mobility pilot in 2027. The alliance is also developing plans for international joint degrees in Marine and Coastal Engineering, Ecosystem-based Blue Solutions and Regenerative Blue Economy. A distinctive feature of this academic vision is the concept of Bioceanic Routes, encouraging students to experience different maritime regions and educational environments across the alliance. The launch of AL MAR also provided an opportunity to reinforce bilateral cooperation between the University of Cádiz and Universidad del Magdalena. AL MAR forms part of Perla del Caribe, a project implemented by Universidad del Magdalena with the support of CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.
SEA-EU’s experience reaches beyond Europe
The establishment of AL MAR represents a new opportunity to develop lasting connections between universities and maritime communities on both sides of the Atlantic. For SEA-EU, the initiative illustrates how the experience of European University Alliances can inspire international cooperation beyond Europe’s borders, creating new opportunities for joint education, research, mobility and engagement with coastal territories.
As AL MAR begins its journey, the two alliances share a common ambition: bringing universities together through the sea to build a more sustainable and connected future.
